When you are behind the wheel of a vehicle, every action you take has potential consequences that could lead to a serious car accident and personal injuries if you become distracted. If you cause injuries to another driver because you were distracted, you could find yourself being sued by their car accident injury lawyer. You could even face criminal charges if the person dies as a result of your negligence.
There are three types of distractions that can occur while driving:
- Manual Distractions – Any actions that take one or both hands off the wheel are considered this type of distraction, like reaching for a soda.
- Visual Distractions – Any actions where you take your eyes off the road for any period of time are visual distractions. Looking down to change the radio station or pick up your cell phone are two examples.
- Cognitive Distractions – This type of distraction is where you let your mind wander so you are no longer concentrating on driving, such as daydreaming.
Distractions can be a combination of one or more of the above. For instance, playing Pokémon Go, texting, or putting on makeup while driving are considered all three types of distractions. Talking on the phone is considered both a manual and cognitive distraction.
Based upon various studies and research, the dangers should be taken seriously.
- Texting while driving means the vehicle is traveling a distance of approximately 300 feet without any human control.
- A person talking on a cell phone is four times more likely to be involved in an accident.
- A person texting is eight times more likely to cause an accident.
- Texting creates a crash risk 23 times greater compared to driving without any distractions.
Unfortunately, even with this information, people still drive while distracted. Due to their actions, an average of 400,000 people are injured annually. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident caused by a distracted driver, you have legal rights you need to protect. Call us today for a free case evaluation and consultation.
Source
http://www.enddd.org/the-facts-about-distracted-driving/
