Many people do not believe that multitasking in the car is that big of a problem. People hear that talking on a cell phone or doing other tasks while driving is dangerous, but usually think the danger does not apply to them or that the risks are exaggerated. This sentiment is demonstrated by the fact that at any given second during daylight hours in the United States, over 800,000 drivers are also using a hand-held phone while driving. In truth, distracted driving is one of the biggest safety problems on America's roads and has become an epidemic. If you are injured in an auto accident by a distracted driver, an experienced Newnan car accident attorney can help you get reimbursed for your injuries.
An activity is considered to cause distracted driving if it does any one or combination of these three things:
- Takes your mind off the road (cognitive)
- Takes your hands off the wheel (physical)
- Takes your eyes off the road (visual)
Talking on your cell phone may seem harmless because your eyes are still on the road, however, you can only use one hand to drive, and your mind is likely focused on your conversation, not the road in front of you. Even using a hands-free device can cause cognitive distractions, and you may miss some important cues that would usually help you to avoid an accident, such as traffic slowing in front of you, or a car changing lanes.
Texting is viewed as one of the most dangerous activities because it distracts you from your driving in all three ways—cognitive, physical, and visual. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's distracted driving task force estimates that even just reading a text can take your eyes off the road for about 4-5 seconds. If you are traveling on a highway at 55 miles per hour, reading a text can be compared to driving the length of a football field without watching where you are going. Texting and driving are always extremely dangerous.
If you have been injured in an accident because of a driver who was texting, on the phone, or otherwise distracted, you can hold that driver liable for your personal injury and property damage. Call Shane Smith Law today at (980) 246-2656 and a dedicated Coweta County accident lawyer will help you with your claims.