Distracted Drivers Are Accidents Waiting To Happen

Distracted driving is more than just “a problem”. Every day, nine people in the United States die in accidents where distracted driving is reported. That takes distracted driving from “a problem” to a mortal threat. More than 3,100 people died in the U.S. in 2020 in traffic accidents caused by distracted driving. Hundreds of thousands more are injured in such accidents annually.

If you have been injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver, contact the California personal injury attorneys at Maire & Deedon. We can help you recover the compensation you deserve for your medical expenses, property losses, and lost work time.

Distracted Driving Can Take Many Forms

Cell phone use is the most common cause of distracted driving – and the target of most state laws dealing with distracted driving. All states outlaw texting and driving, and many, including California, ban the use of hand-held cell phones, requiring the use of speakers, earphones, or some other means of using a cell phone without holding it in your hand. But cell phones are by no means the only source of distractions for drivers. In fact, there are at least three primary categories of distractions facing drivers, including:

1. Cognitive distractions. These are things that take your mind off of driving, from something as simple as daydreaming to singing along with a song on your music system, mentally planning your upcoming vacation, or thinking about vexing difficulties or situations you are facing in your life.
2. Visual distractions. If something causes you to take your eyes off the road and traffic, that’s a visual distraction, whether it is a beautiful landscape, a roadside sign, or even rubbernecking as you pass the scene of an accident.
3. Manual distractions. If you take one or both hands off the steering wheel to do something besides steer your vehicle, that’s a manual distraction. Adjusting controls on your audio, satellite navigation, or climate controls qualify. So does something as mundane as eating while driving.

Even with all the other possibilities for distraction, texting while driving remains the most dangerous. It takes only a few seconds to read or send a text, but at highway speeds, it takes only a few seconds to cover 100 feet or more, during which time the driver is not paying attention to the road. That’s a recipe for accidents.

This is why California bans texting while driving for all motorists and outlaws all cell phone use while driving for those younger than 18 years old. The existence of laws doesn’t stop accidents, though, and not all drivers obey them. Further, you could be in an accident with a driver distracted by any number of things besides a cell phone.

What To Do If You Have Been Involved In An Traffic Accident With A Distracted Driver

If you or a family member has been involved in a traffic accident caused by a distracted driver, you should contact our California personal injury lawyers at Maire & Deedon. You should not bear the costs of an accident caused by another driver’s negligence. The attorneys of Maire & Deedon will put their experience and abilities to work to seek the compensation you deserve.