Most of us have been lectured on the dangers of distracted driving, and some states have begun to pass laws to combat this behavior.
Despite the warnings, people are still tempted to drive while distracted. The more accessible technology becomes, the more tempted we are to try and multitask while driving. Handheld devices make this easy and are often a leading contributor to distracted driving.
However, technology isn’t fully to blame, and some drivers habitually drive while distracted, whether they realize it or not. Many activities, in addition to the use of handheld devices or phones, classify as distracted driving. Including:
- Visual distractions, which take the eyes of the driver off the roadway because of a person, event, object, or performing a task.
- Cognitive distractions take the driver’s mind off the roadway, such as zoning out or being preoccupied.
- Manual distractions, such as taking the driver’s hands off the steering wheel. It may be to touch a phone, eat or drink, or to adjust a GPS unit or stereo.
There are laws regarding cell phone usage when operating a vehicle, and while many people obey those laws, they still drive distracted. If an accident occurs, it can be difficult to prove that the culprit was using a phone or was otherwise distracted while driving. Many situations do not leave any digital or physical evidence, such as drinking, eating, reading, attending to pets or children in the vehicle, performing personal hygiene tasks, or changing the radio station.
This could make it more difficult to pursue compensation, and why you should speak to a Los Angeles injury lawyer right away if you were injured in a car accident and suspect distracted driving.
Unfortunately, too many drivers tend to ignore safety laws and warnings and do not obey applicable traffic and safety laws. According to the CDC, 9 people are killed in the US every day due to distracted driving, and another 1,000 are injured.
The Leading Causes of Distracted Driving
Distracted driving can have major consequences for everyone on the road. If an accident occurs because a driver is distracted, it can cause property damage, bodily injury, or even death. Here are some of the leading causes of distracted driving:
- Texting and driving
- Inputting data on a GPS
- Dealing with child occupants
- Talking on a phone
- Playing with the stereo
According to a California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) Public Opinion Survey, 70 percent of all California drivers described distracted driving as the most significant issue on the roadways today.
Similarly, a National Phone Survey on Distracted Driving Attitudes and Behaviors found that 40% of drivers admit to talking on the phone while driving, 65% admit to adjusting the radio, 27% admit to dealing with child occupants in the backseat, and 10% admit to reading texts or emails while driving.
Injured In An Accident Caused By A Distracted Driver?
If you have been in an accident caused by a distracted driver and you suffered injuries because of it, you can pursue a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver and their insurance company for the damages that you suffered. Call the Trial Law Offices of Bradley I. Kramer, M.D., Esq., for a free consultation.