Legal resources are available to victims of distracted drivers. Greater than 6,800 victims were injured and 51 victims died in Ohio during 2018 in distracted driving-related car accidents. Distracted driving is a serious danger throughout Ohio and the country as a whole. While distracted by sending or reading a text, distracted drivers can travel the length of a football field if traveling at 55 miles per hour. As a result, authorities in Ohio are watching for distracted drivers and report that driver distraction leads to other potentially dangerous driving behaviors.
Authorities are watching on the roadways and from the air for these driving behaviors that may indicate driver distraction. Distracted driving is unsafe and can lead to serious injuries and harm for victims. Victims may be able to bring a personal injury claim for damages when they have been harmed by a distracted driver in a distracted driving-related car accident. Distracted drivers may be held liable for the harm they have caused while driving distracted.
Distracted driving includes a variety of different behaviors drivers regularly engage in and can be considered negligence when is results in car accidents. Distracted driving can include three types of driver distraction which refer to cognitive, visual and manual forms of distraction. Texting while driving involves all three types of driver distraction. Other types of driver distraction including using a cell phone while driving; operating a navigation device while driving; operating a radio while driving; reading while driving; eating while driving; and grooming while driving.
Because of how serious distracted driving-related accidents can be for victims and their families, it is useful for them to be familiar with the legal options available to protect them. Legal resources and remedies can help them with their physical, financial and emotional damages when they need the help and hold a distracted driver accountable.