Every day, accidents caused by distracted driving result in an estimated 1200 injuries and 15 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In a recent survey, one-third of participants stated that they believe driving is more dangerous today than five years ago, in large part due to more distracted drivers. If you have been involved in an accident with a distracted driver, contact a Fayette County auto accident attorney for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case and possible recovery.
When you think about distracted driving, your first thought is likely of cell phones. Three-quarters of drivers from age 18-29 years old reported using cell phones when driving, and almost half of those admit they use their phones regularly or often. Over half of drivers in that same age group also reported texting or emailing at least one time in the past month, and over 25% text or email regularly or often.
Using a cell phone is not the only potentially dangerous distraction for drivers. Distractions include anything that takes your eyes off the road, such as looking in the mirror or inside a handbag, anything that physically removes your hands from the wheel, such as eating or changing the radio, or anything that cognitively takes your mind off of the road. Texting is considered particularly dangerous because it induces all three types of distraction—visual, manual, and cognitive. Commercial drivers and any government employees are already prohibited to text while driving, and many states have enacted laws against it. Even if your state does not have laws against texting and driving, you should always refrain from doing so.
Other sources of distraction include personal grooming, reading, reaching into the backseat, or participating in an involved conversation with a passenger. Using any technology in your car, such as GPS or other navigation systems, may seem harmless because the system is specifically meant for use while traveling, however, you must be careful not to attend to the system for too long and become a distracted driver. It is always safer to pull over and check navigation systems than to do so while driving.
If you are injured in an accident that you believe was caused by a distracted driver, the driver at fault can be held liable for any injuries you may have sustained and more. A Fayette County auto accident attorney can help you recover for any potentially lost wages, medical bills, and even pain and suffering you experienced. Call Shane Smith Law at (980) 246-2656 to discuss your case today.