Driving is an inherently dangerous activity, and it is easy for those of us who do it on a daily basis to forget that fact. The more often we do an activity, the more likely we are to go on “autopilot,” not fully paying attention to what we are doing. Because of the potential severity of the injuries people can sustain in a car accident, it is especially important to stay focused while driving. Distracted driving is responsible for thousands of car accidents each year, and some observers believe that cell phone use has significantly added to the problem. Every driver on the road owes a legal duty to use reasonable care when driving their vehicle, and distracted driving is a breach of that duty. This means that if distracted driving results in an accident, the person not at fault for the accident may be able to recover compensation for their injuries through a personal injury lawsuit. Shane Smith Law is comprised of Fayette County personal injury attorneys who are dedicated to representing the rights of the injured.
What is distracted driving?
According to the official U.S. Government Website for Distracted Driving, distracted driving means an activity that diverts a driver’s attention away from the primary task of driving. All distractions increase the risk of accidents for the driver, any passenger, or bystanders. Some of the more common sources of driver distraction include:
- Texting
- Using a cell or smart phone
- Eating or drinking
- Talking
- Grooming
- Adjusting a radio, CD, or MP3 player
- Watching videos
- Reading
- Using a GPS navigation system
- Reaching for an object in the vehicle
There are three main types of distracted driving, all of which increase the risk of an adverse event. These three are visual distractions, manual distractions, and cognitive distractions. Of all the distractions listed above, cell phone use, and specifically texting, is perhaps the most dangerous because it involves all three types of distraction.
Contact a Fayette County Car Accident Attorney for a Free Consultation
If you have been involved in a car accident caused by a distracted driver, you may be entitled to substantial compensation. In order to determine whether you have a claim, you should contact one of the personal injury attorneys at Shane Smith Law. In order to schedule a free consultation, contact us today at (980) 246-2656.