Distracted driving collisions are particularly devastating because they are so easily preventable. They also happen to be incredibly prevalent, which means you risk getting into an accident with a distracted driver every time you get behind the wheel.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately nine people die in the United States every single day as the result of injuries sustained in a collision with a distracted driver. An additional 1,000 people around this country sustain injuries daily in accidents involving distracted driving.
The proliferation of smartphones is partially to blame for the prevalence of distracted driving, but it is not the only reason motorists end up focusing on something other than the road. At the end of the day, there are countless ways to distract yourself while behind the wheel; however, there are only three main categories of driving distractions.
This article will discuss those categories and how they affect your driving performance.
If you were hurt in a motor vehicle collision with a distracted driver, contact the Law Office of Joel W. Baruch, P.C. Joel Baruch is a member of The National Association of Distinguished Counsel, an honor held by only 1 percent of attorneys in the United States. Call 949-864-9662 to schedule a consultation with an injury attorney in Irvine.
Read on to learn about the three main kinds of distracted driving:
- Visual Distractions
Visual distractions are exactly what they sound like; they take your eyes off the road ahead, ultimately threatening your safety and the safety of those around you. If you are traveling at 55 mph, for example, you will cover more than 100 yards in just four seconds, which is how long the average text takes to type and send. Can you imagine driving more than the length of a football field while blindfolded?
- Cognitive Distractions
Have you ever gotten home from work without being able to remember having actually driven there? Part of the reason for this may be muscle memory, but it is far more likely that you were simply focusing on something other than your commute. Cognitive distractions are especially dangerous because not only are they all around us, but they also come from internal sources like stress, anger, and joy.
- Manual Distractions
Even if you are not driving a vehicle with a standard transmission, you still need both hands in order to travel safely. Manual distractions refer to those that take one or both hands off the wheel.
Some examples of manual distractions include eating, putting on makeup, and adjusting the navigation system. Texting while driving is especially dangerous because not only does it require the use of your hands, but it also serves as a cognitive and visual distraction.
Sadly, you can do everything in your power to avoid falling victim to any of the distractions mentioned above and still find yourself in a catastrophic collision with a reckless driver. If you were hurt in a car accident that was not your fault, contact the Law Office of Joel W. Baruch, P.C.
Our attorneys have litigated more than 200 trials. Call 949-864-9662 to schedule a case evaluation with a personal injury lawyer in Irvine. You can learn more about car accident claims in California by visiting USAttorneys.com.
