It is not uncommon to hear stories of an automobile accident caused by a distracted driver. Although drivers have the reasonable responsibility to drive safely, more and more drivers are becoming distracted by activities which divert their attention from the road, thereby endangering the safety of themselves, passengers, and bystanders.
In 2013 alone, distracted driving in the United States resulted in accidents in which 424,000 people suffered injuries and 3,154 died. Statistics show that nearly 660,000 drivers1 may be using cell phones or electronic devices while driving during daylight hours. Despite the knowledge that distracted driving is extremely dangerous and even laws banning the behavior, drivers continue to put themselves and others at risk by engaging in various types of distracted driving.
What is Distracted Driving?
While distracted driving is often associated with the use of electronic devices such as smartphones and GPS navigation, driving distractions are not limited to electronics. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines distracted driving2 as any activity that causes you to “take your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel, or your mind off your primary task: driving safely.”
Some of the most common driving distractions include:
- Talking on a cellphone
- Texting, messaging, or emailing
- Accessing the internet via a smartphone
- Watching a video
- Adjusting a radio or music player
- Reading, including maps or directions
- Using or programming a navigation system
- Reaching into other parts of the vehicle
- Eating and drinking
- Talking to passengers
- Grooming
Although all driving distractions are dangerous, text messaging is often considered to be the most dangerous as it requires the driver to take his or her eyes off of the road, remove his or her hand(s) from the steering wheel, and focus his or her attention on the message as opposed to the road. This high-risk distraction can result in automobile accidents, which often take the form of a head-on collision because a driver strays from their lane or a rear-end collision because a driver does not see traffic slowing or stopping in front of them. A head-on collision is one of the deadliest types of crashes and, even if victims survive, they will likely sustain life-altering injuries. Rear-end accidents commonly cause serious neck and back injuries, spinal cord injury, and other conditions that can require significant medical treatment and recovery.
Contact a qualified Michigan car accident attorney for a free consultation
Auto accident cases can be complicated, so you always want to seek assistance from a lawyer who understands this particular type of injury case. At the law firm of Michigan Injury Lawyers, our team of distracted driving lawyers understand the legal issues that may arise in an a motor vehicle injury case and will always strive to ensure you receive the maximum possible compensation for your related injuries. If you would like to discuss your situation for free, please call our office today at 313-438-4357.
http://www.michiganinjurylawyers.com/michigan-car-accident-lawyer/
References:
1http://www.distraction.gov/stats-research-laws/facts-and-statistics.html
2www.distraction.gov