Thousands of lives are lost or significantly altered by distracted drivers every year, yet many states don’t weigh distraction as a factor in motor vehicle accidents heavily enough. This is one of the most compelling reasons to hire a personal injury lawyer. Your lawyer will pour over every detail of your accident to uncover all possible causes.
What is Distracted Driving?
Some of the most common types of distraction while driving include:
- Using a cellphone to talk or type
- Eating and drinking
- Personal grooming
- Rubbernecking
- Adjusting infotainment or navigation systems
While many people believe that hands-free electronics are safe to use while driving, the evidence suggests otherwise. AAA has found that on-board infotainment and navigation systems actually pose a larger threat of distraction than their oft-vilified handled alternatives.
This is not, of course, to suggest that handheld technology is safe to use while driving. The truth is, it is not safe for a driver to operate any type of technology while a vehicle is in motion.
You Can Prevent Distracted Driving Accidents
You can help prevent distracted driving accidents by paying attention. This task is harder than it sounds, but is something everyone is capable of. All it requires is a little bit of practice and patience.
The first step to reducing distraction is turning your phone off or putting it on silent before placing it out of reach. If you use your phone for entertainment in the car, set it before you begin to drive, then silence alerts and place it out of reach. This will help prevent the impulse to look at the screen while driving.
Likewise with onboard infotainment and navigation. Set them before you head out or give a passenger in control.
Eat and drink outside of your car. Apply makeup and shave at home. Keep your attention on what you’re doing: driving. Everything else can wait.
Have You Been Injured?
If you have been injured by a distracted driver, the Courtroom Warriors at Kirtland & Packard can help. We have decades of experience helping victims of serious accidents get justice. Please call us at (310) 536-1000 to schedule your complimentary case review today.
Located in Redondo Beach, Kirtland & Packard welcomes clients from Torrance and all surrounding areas of California. Call us today to learn more.