Driving requires your full attention. You need to be able to react quickly and appropriately when unexpected things happen on the road. If you’re distracted while driving, it’s impossible to respond quickly enough if another driver cuts you off or if a child runs out in front of your car. And those are just two examples of what can happen when you’re distracted while behind the wheel.
The Husband & Wife Law Team is available for a consultation right now if you or someone you know has been hurt in a distracted driving accident.
The risks of using your cellphone while driving and other types of distracted driving
Cellphones are a major contributor to distracted driving. You should never text or talk on your phone while you’re behind the wheel because it takes your eyes off the road. And if you’re holding your phone with both hands, it means both hands are off the wheel! If you need to send a quick text message or call someone back ASAP, pull over into a safe parking spot first before using your device.
But it’s not just about your cellphone. Any time you take your eyes off the road or your hands off the wheel, you risk putting yourself and others at risk. And that increases the likelihood of an accident happening because of your lack of awareness of the surroundings.
Distracted driving can be caused by anything, from eating while you drive to changing the radio station to checking your makeup in the rearview mirror. This means that distracted driving is a very broad concept. It covers a range of behaviors and activities that all have one thing in common: they take your mind off the road.
A significant cause of distracted driving is eating while driving. In fact, eating while driving is actually illegal in some places because it’s so dangerous. Eating and drinking are some of the most common forms of distracted driving but there are other activities that can distract you as well.
The three types of distracted driving
The three most common types of distracted driving are:
Visual distractions: This type of distraction occurs when a driver’s attention is drawn away from what’s happening on the road by something else in his or her field of vision—like looking at a text message or trying to read a map on your phone.
Manual distractions: This type of distraction occurs when a driver takes their hands off the wheel and/or their eyes off the road to perform some other task—like eating food or adjusting the radio station.
Cognitive distractions: This type of distraction occurs when a driver’s mind wanders from what they’re doing behind the wheel, like worrying about work or thinking about something else besides driving (for example, “I wonder if I locked the door when I left.”).
The types of injuries that can result from distracted driving accidents
Brain injury is among the most common types of injuries that can result from distracted driving accidents. After a brain injury occurs, the brain isn’t able to function normally due to damage from an external force, such as an accident caused by distracted driving.
Spinal cord injuries also occur frequently as a result of distracted driving accidents. Spinal cord injuries are caused by damage to your spinal cord and prevents it from functioning properly. In extreme cases, this could result in paralysis.
Internal injuries are another type of injury that can occur after being involved in a distracted driving accident. Internal injuries tend to be less serious than other types but still require medical attention. This type of injury may refer to internal bleeding, broken bones, or other complications that should not be left untreated.
How we assess your case to pursue full compensation
Distracted driving is a serious issue because it leads to car accidents that affect the lives of millions of people every year. The Husband & Wife Law Team can help you with your case if you or a loved one has been hurt by a distracted driver.
We understand that it can be difficult to know where to turn when you’ve been hurt by someone else’s negligence. We work tirelessly on your behalf to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses.
Have The Husband & Wife Law Team on your Side
At The Husband & Wife Law Team, we want to prevent you from becoming a statistic. If you or a loved one has been injured by a distracted driver, we’re here. Our team has plenty of experience helping people like you get the compensation they deserve for their injuries. To learn more about how The Husband & Wife Law Team can help, contact our car accident attorneys today.