Due to the large amount of people driving on the road in the United States, and because of the increasing number of people using cell phones while driving, distracted driving is now one of the leading causes of car accident lawsuits in the nation. Every day, eight people are killed in the United States due to distracted driving.
Below, we will go over the most common distractions drivers face while on the road, as well as the most common injuries that occur because of distracted driving. We will also discuss how you can prove that the cause of the car accident was the other party’s distracted driving.
Common Causes of Distracted Driving
There are a lot of distractions that can occur on the road. Because of this, drivers must be vigilant at all times. One type of distraction is a visual distraction. Visual distractions include texting, checking your phone, looking at a passenger in your car, reading a navigation system, looking in a mirror, or adjusting the radio. These distractions happen incredibly often. In fact, according to the National Safety Council, 330,000 injuries occur every year in the United States as a result of texting in a car.
Another common distraction is a mental distraction, i.e., when the driver is thinking about something else other than driving. Mental distractions can include talking on the phone, engaging in conversations with other passengers, driving under the influence, or simply being too tired to drive.
Manual distractions are another type of distraction drivers must watch out for. These distractions include anything the driver does manually, such as using their phone, eating or drinking, lighting a cigarette, searching through a purse or bag, or performing any kind of personal grooming. Simply put: don’t do anything in your vehicle other than driving when behind the wheel. This can help you prevent manual distractions that cause car accidents.
Injuries That Can Occur
Whenever distracted driving occurs, many injuries can follow. The distracted driver is always responsible for any injuries that occur to the other drivers, which is why car accident lawsuits are common. Here are some of the most common injuries that can occur from a car accident caused by distracted driving.
Prove the Distracted Driver is at Fault
When an accident occurs because of someone else’s distracted driving, it is essential that you can prove the distracted driver is responsible for the accident. You must collect the right evidence in order to win your case. The proof you must find includes:
- Photos and videos of the accident
- The driver’s cell phone records
- Statements from witnesses
- Police reports
The law is progressively changing to become more on the side of safe driving, with anti-texting laws being passed in states across the country. Hopefully, you live in a state where texting is banned, as this will help your case.
Drivers are obligated to obey the rules of the road. These rules include traffic laws, as well as the duty to exercise ordinary care in regard to one’s own safety and that of others on the roadways. If you have been injured due to a distracted driver, you may have a legal claim related to your injuries. The Spinal Cord Injury Law Firm is experienced in navigating these types of cases. Call for your free consultation at 1-877-SCI-FIRM if you or a loved one has had a serious injury because of an accident.
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