“Keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel” is probably the first thing you were taught when you began learning to drive. Unfortunately, not all drivers take that rule as seriously as they should. Especially when people have been driving for many years, or they do a lot of driving in their daily life, it can be easy to forget how dangerous operating a vehicle can be. Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents. Serious crashes can happen very quickly when a driver loses focus.
If you were hurt in a car accident, it is very important that you do not hesitate to call an attorney rapidly. The sooner you call, the better chance your lawyer will have at preserving important evidence.
What Are the Most Common Driver Distractions?
When you have been hit by a careless driver, it can sometimes be difficult to tell what happened to cause them to crash into you. In other cases, it may be quite clear that the other driver was not watching the road. Common reasons that drivers get distracted include:
- Cell phones – Cell phones usage is by far the most common reason careless drivers stop paying attention to traffic. Whether they are returning a text message, reading an email, or trying to pull up directions without pulling over, many drivers think little of pulling out their phones while behind the wheel. Drivers who are focused on a phone screen may veer out of their lane and cause a side-swipe collision or fail to notice a red light and rear-end someone.
- Passengers – Loud or rowdy passengers can substantially distract a driver. It is great when a group of partygoers uses a designated driver, but not so great when a group of intoxicated passengers causes a driver to lose focus. Alternatively, adults may turn around to manage children’s behavior in the back seat, causing them to lose sight of the road.
- Music – Listening to music while driving can be enjoyable, but it can also become problematic when a driver gets too absorbed. Additionally, fumbling around changing a playlist or trying to find a certain song can take a driver’s attention away from where it belongs.
- Smoking – Drivers who smoke or vape in their cars may temporarily lose sight of where they are going as they fumble to light a cigarette or have their vision blocked by a cloud of vapor.
If you believe that distraction may have been a factor in your car accident, it is important to contact an attorney right away and mention this fact. The closer to the time of the accident an investigation can begin, the better the chances of being able to prove that the at-fault driver was distracted.
Call a Wisconsin Car Accident Lawyer
Herrling Clark Law Firm, Ltd. is committed to helping those injured by negligent drivers recover compensation. Our Green Bay car accident attorneys are experienced at conducting thorough investigations to uncover and prove the cause. Call our law office at 920-739-7366 as soon as possible to schedule a free consultation.
Source:
https://www.nsc.org/road/safety-topics/distracted-driving/cell-phone-distracted-driving