Texting While Driving and Other Distractions
The authorities from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warn us that cell-phone usage is a major danger when it comes to driving. Additionally, the media often focuses on accidents caused by texting while driving. However, by focusing solely on the use of cell-phones, we often overlook other causes of distracted driving. Cicero Car Accident Lawyer can help you to resolve all legal issues.
This is not to say that the use of cell-phones by drivers is not a serious concern – it is. One study conducted in 2017 found that 1 in 4 car crashes involved a driver using a cell-phone just prior to the collision. However, if you are injured in a car accident, it is important to understand that drivers can be considered negligently distracted for many other tasks unrelated to cell-phone usage
Distracted Driving
A driver can be distracted for many reasons. Yearly studies provide varying statistics, but distracted driving incidents include lighting or extinguishing a cigarette, a pet or stray insect moving around inside the cab, operating in-car features such as adjustable mirrors or seating, eating, operating the air-conditioning, heater, or stereo, or simply reaching for objects inside the vehicle.
While each of the above distractions account for one to two percent of accidents, five percent are attributable to the driver being engaged with his or her passengers, looking over at or talking to them, seven percent are caused by something outside the windshield that attracted the driver’s attention, and twelve percent are due to cell-phone usage. The number one cause of distraction is simple daydreaming, or generally being distracted.
Lawsuits and Distracted Driving
There are three classes of distraction for drivers according to the CDC – being manually distracted, visually distracted, and cognitively distracted. Texting encompasses all three by causing the driver to look away from the road, release the steering wheel, and compose a text. It is no wonder that we usually associate texting while driving with distracted driving.
The CDC and NHTSA each report that upwards of 3,000 people lost their lives in both 2015 and 2016 due to distracted driving. However, not all of those drivers were using cell-phones. The bottom line is that using a cell-phone while driving is an unacceptable risk. Nevertheless, if you or someone you care about has been injured in a car accident, you may have a right to collect compensation from a driver who was distracted by any one of numerous behaviors, including texting while driving.
How an Experienced Cicero Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
To fully understand your rights, or for a free consultation regarding a potential distracted driving lawsuit, contact a knowledgeable Cicero car accident lawyer from Shea Law Group today. Give us a call at (847)-365-0040 or simply fill out a contact form online.
