Commercial vehicle accidents can result in serious injuries for victims and liability for negligent drivers. An Ohio man was recently convicted of causing a fatal accident while driving distracted. The man was driving a 30,000 pound tractor trailer when he crashed into stopped traffic while participating in a Facebook quiz on his smartphone. The traffic was stopped for construction. In addition, the man was accused of driving while impaired and being under the influence of oxycodone.The fatal truck accident resulted in the death of one victim and injuries to several other victims. The man was found guilty of reckless driving causing death and two counts of reckless driving causing serious impairment of bodily function. The man was also found guilty of 3 similar misdemeanors. Reckless driving causing death can be punished by 15 years in prison.A forensic search of the man’s cell phone revealed that he had clicked on a Facebook quiz moments before the truck accident. According to witnesses, the truck driver failed to brake before causing the commercial vehicle accident. He was also speeding prior to the accident. The driver was accused of being inattentive and impaired at the time of the accident which resulted in the violent multi-vehicle crash. Truck accidents can cause catastrophic damages to victims and their families.In addition to criminal consequences associated with a fatal truck accident, truck drivers may also face civil liability to victims and their families as well. Victims and their families may be able to recover compensation for their physical, financial and emotional damages, as well as wrongful death damages, depending on the circumstances through a personal injury or wrongful death claim for damages.Source: Mlive.com, “Jury convicts trucker of causing fatal crash while taking Facebook quiz,” John Counts, Oct. 13, 2017