Distracted driving is dangerous driving that can cause serious car accidents and injuries. In addition, distracted drivers may be considered negligent when they cause a car accident and may be liable to car accident victims for their damages. Car accident victims and victims of distracted drivers should know about the legal protections available to them.
Distracted driving claimed greater than 3,166 lives during 2017. Distracted driving includes any behavior that diverts the driver’s attention from driving including manual, visual and cognitive distraction. Examples of driver distraction can include cell phone use, texting while driving, operating the radio or a navigation device, eating and drinking, grooming or having extensive conversations with passengers while driving.
Distracted driving increases the risk of a car accident. Texting while driving is considered the most serious type of distracted driving because it involves manual, visual and cognitive distraction. Sending or reading a text takes the drivers eyes off the roadway for 5 seconds which, while travelling at 55 miles per hour, is equivalent to the driver travelling the length of a football field without looking at the roadway. It is important to know the risks of distracted driving but also to know about the legal protections available to victims of distracted driving-related car accidents.
A personal injury claim for damages can hold a distracted driver accountable and help the victim of a distracted-driving related car accident recover compensation for their physical, financial and emotional damages. It is an important legal remedy for victims of distracted drivers and their carelessness to be familiar with.