Like drunk driving, distracted driving is an incredibly dangerous practice that causes car accidents, and often result in victims suffering catastrophic injuries or death.
Despite the fact that these risks are well-known, negligent motorists continue to operate vehicles while distracted by a number of factors.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 3,450 people were killed in 2016 and 391,000 were injured in 2015 in distracted driving accidents. Unfortunately, teens and young adults are at high risk of causing a collision while distracted.
How Do Distractions Impair Driving Abilities?
Any activity that takes someone's attention away from his driving can be considered a distraction. There are usually three main categories:
- Visual. A driver’s eyes aren't on the road.
- Manual. Hands aren't on the steering wheel.
- Cognitive. A driver’s mind isn't focused on the task of operating the vehicle safely.
Some of the most common distracted driving activities include:
- Texting
- Talking on a cellphone
- Eating and drinking
- Adjusting instrument controls
- Using GPS
- Engaging in personal grooming
- Talking to passengers
- Looking at objects or other vehicles
- Daydreaming
While all of these activities are unsafe, texting while driving is especially dangerous. If an individual is traveling 55 mph, he can travel the distance of a football field in the five seconds that it could take to read or send a text.
Proving Distracted Driving Caused Your Car Accident Can Be Difficult
Was your car accident caused by distracted driving? Proving it can be a challenge, so you'll need the assistance of savvy legal counsel who understands what evidence to collect and how quickly this needs to happen.
In some cases, the police report and cellphone records can help show the driver was distracted. However, your attorney may need to file a lawsuit and obtain a subpoena to secure the necessary documentation. In other cases, witness testimony and other evidence may be required.
At Johnson & Gilbert, PC, our experienced Daytona Beach car accident attorneys are ready to aggressively fight to hold the distracted driver accountable for his negligence. We'll take the time to review your case carefully; advise you on your next course of action; and treat you with the respect you deserve.
Our goal is to get you and your family rightful compensation. To learn more, call our office today to schedule a free consultation.
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