An accident is unexpected and can happen at any given time, especially if the driver is distracted. Distracted driving includes driving while being drowsy. Lack of sleep and fatigue due to long drives can also cause carelessness and negligence that results in an accident. Merging without indicating turning signals, and being negligent on the road may also put other drivers at risk. Many accidents are also caused by visual distractions.
The three main distractions on the road are visual distractions, manual distractions and cognitive distractions. A visual distraction is any activity diverting the driver’s attention away from the road. Examples are drivers playing games on their smartphone, talking to passengers or reading a book or map while driving. A manual distraction is removing hands off of the wheel and focusing on other tasks such as eating and texting, answering the phone, grooming, looking down or changing the song on the radio. Lastly, cognitive driving is taking your mind off the road and becoming absorbed in one’s thoughts.
The most dangerous kind of activity is texting because it involves all three types of distractions. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, in the 5 seconds it takes to read a text or email, your car has traveled the entire length of a football field.
Distracted driving can also involve drinking, which can cause vision and hearing impairment and difficulty concentrating. Drinking while driving could affect the driver’s attentiveness on the road and result in failure to obey road markings and traffic laws.
If a distracted driver has injured you or a loved one, you may want to consider hiring an experienced attorney, who can help provide you with the proper legal assistance to fight for your case and grant you the compensation and justice you deserve.
