Auto Accidents: Distracted Driving – Using Cell Phone While Driving

Research notes of Traffic Safety Facts published by NHTSA revealed that 3,450 people lost their lives due to distracted driving in 2016 alone. Distracted driving refers to performing any activity that diverts the attention of the driver; it includes talking to passengers, eating or drinking, fiddling with the infotainment system or radio – any non-driving activity that takes their eyes off the road. An individual’s safety is always at risk unless they pay complete attention to the road while operating their vehicle.

Types of Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is categorized in three broad categories: manual, visual, and cognitive.

• Manual distraction – Performing any activity by hand that causes a driver to occupy something other than the steering wheel
• Visual distraction – Looking around the surroundings or inside the car, or any activity that causes a driver to take their eyes off the road.
• Cognitive distraction – Taking the mind off thinking about something that may cause a driver to lose concentration of the road.

Using your cell phone while driving is a very dangerous habit that significantly reduces your awareness, as well as your ability to react to sudden stops or upcoming hazards.

Driving While Intoxicated

Using your cell phone while driving gets you involved in all three types of distractions:

• Visual: Looking at the screen of your cell phone will cause you to lose visuals on the road, preventing you from watching potential dangers and hazards. Imagine driving on a road at 60 mph, a 5-second distraction due to texting means that you covered more distance than an entire football field without watching the road.
• Manual: Using a cell phone keeps one hand of the driver occupied, which leaves them vulnerable in case of unexpected occurrences, such as a dog running onto the road to a reckless driver suddenly pulling over in front of the vehicle.
• Cognitive: Concentrating on the conversation on the cell phone or simple navigation also tends to distract the driver and diverts their attention from the road. For instance, if a driver receives a text or an E-mail about tomorrow’s meeting, it may cause a shift in their focus from the road to checking their phone, increasing the probability of an accident.

It is safe to conclude that when it comes to distracted driving, using a cell phone ticks all the boxes of distraction, which may lead to unfortunate consequences. If you have sustained injuries due to an auto accident caused due to distracted driving by someone else, procuring legal services of an experienced auto accident lawyer can be highly advantageous for your case.

A seasoned auto accident lawyer will ensure that your legal rights remain protected throughout the case, allowing you to pursue the claim without stress and difficulties. A competent auto accident lawyer will establish facts by gathering evidence to devise a solid case in your favor, allowing you to obtain the maximum amount of compensation for your pain and sufferings.

If you wish to find out more about this topic or schedule a free consultation, contact the offices of Robert Edens at (847) 395-2200 to speak with an experienced auto accident lawyer.