You could encounter many different hazards on the road, from bad weather conditions to poor visibility, road work and sharp turns. Unfortunately, other drivers can pose a serious threat to the safety of everyone on the road. For example, drivers who lose focus as a result of becoming distracted could cause a devastating accident.
It is pivotal to understand the many different ways in which distracted driving occurs and stay vigilant at all times while driving. Additionally, explore your options if a distracted driver hits you.
Manual, cognitive and visual distractions can cause accidents
It is essential to realize the various ways in which distracted driving occurs. The Centers for Disease Control and Information goes over many of the different reasons why drivers become distracted. For example, visual distractions can affect drivers, causing them to look at something other than the road (such as a map, billboard or something under their feet). Drivers can also lose focus due to manual distractions that result in removing their hands from the wheel (eating food, adjusting the radio, etc.).
Cognitive distractions can affect a driver’s mental focus. For example, talking to other people in the car can affect a driver’s abilities behind the wheel.
Distracted driving accident data
The CDC reports that over the course of 2019, distracted driving accidents resulted in roughly 424,000 injuries and claimed the lives of more than 3,100 people. Furthermore, distracted driving accidents affect many victims not riding in vehicles. In fact, roughly 20% of distracted driving accident fatalities in 2019 involved victims outside of vehicles, such as pedestrians and cyclists.
If you are trying to move forward following an accident caused by a distracted driver, take a firm stand for your legal rights.