People who drive vehicles need to pay attention to driving. They don’t need to let anything else have their attention while they’re behind the wheel. Unfortunately, distracted driving is a huge problem in this country.
Daily, an average of eight people in this country die because of distracted driving. The issue with this is that each of those deaths was preventable. There is no reason why any driver should allow distractions to occur.
Even short distractions are dangerous
Some people might think “Oh, I’m just checking a text really quickly,” or “I just need to change the radio.” While those are quick distractions, they’re very dangerous ones. It only takes approximately five seconds for a vehicle that’s going 55 miles per hour to go 100 yards, which is around the length of a football field.
Driving distractions come in a variety of forms, but they all come in one or more of the following forms:
- Visual
- Cognitive
- Manual
Things like using a cellphone require a driver’s mind, eyes, and hands, which are especially problematic because it’s like the vehicle is being driven by someone with a blindfold on. Every second that the driver is distracted is one in which a crash may occur.
Anyone who’s hit by a distracted driver should understand their rights. You have the right to seek compensation for the financial damages related to the crash. This can include medical bills for the injuries, as well as the income you didn’t get to earn if you had to miss work while you healed. State law sets time limits for getting these cases filed, so be sure to get them done as quickly as you can.