Texting While Driving and Other Distractions Can Lead to Deadly Crashes

 Posted on April 29, 2021 in Car Accidents

Even though driving is a daily activity for most people, it can still be dangerous. A small mistake by a driver can lead to a serious car accident involving injuries to drivers or passengers and extensive property damage. Because of these risks, drivers should always be sure they are following traffic laws and avoiding behaviors that could put themselves or others at risk. Unfortunately, many drivers fail to drive safely, and one of the most common ways that they act negligently is by driving while distracted. 

Dangerous Types of Distracted Driving

Because driving is something people do every day, it can be easy for a person to fail to pay complete attention to the road around them. This is especially true for people who are driving on familiar routes, such as the roads they take to and from work. A person’s mind may wander, and instead of focusing on driving, they may look at signs and billboards, people in other vehicles, or buildings and objects on the side of the road.

While daydreaming can be a serious distraction, many drivers act even more dangerously by attempting to do other activities while driving. Many people believe that they can multitask, but mental energy devoted to something other than driving can cause a person to miss important details or fail to notice the movements of other vehicles, people crossing the street, or obstacles in the road. 

Texting while driving or making phone calls are some of the most common types of activities that can distract a driver. Doing so involves multiple types of dangerous distractions, including taking one’s eyes off the road, taking one’s hands off the steering wheel, and taking one’s attention away from the road. Other distractions may include changing stations on a car’s radio, turning around to tend to children in the back seat, eating and drinking, applying makeup, shaving with an electric razor, or reaching for something that has fallen on the floor of a vehicle. 

Even actions that may seem safe, like using a hands-free device to make a phone call or holding conversations with passengers while keeping one’s eyes on the road, can affect a person’s ability to notice what is happening on the road around them. Studies have found that drivers who devote attention to non-driving activities fail to see 50% of their surroundings. This means that even seemingly harmless activities can lead to deadly collisions.

Contact a Plainfield Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer

If you have been injured in a car accident that was caused by a distracted driver, Flaherty Law, LLC can help you pursue compensation. We will gather evidence to show that the driver acted negligently, and we will fight to make sure you receive the compensation you need and deserve. Contact our Will County car accident attorney today at 815-577-7500 to set up a free consultation.

Sources:

https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving

https://www.nsc.org/getmedia/4082e06b-a4a6-41ec-988b-26881f1947ce/inforgraphic-hands-free.pdf

https://www.nsc.org/getmedia/61e5365c-629d-4394-b5bb-31cc393ee7af/fact-sheet.pdf