Any distraction can and probably will take a driver’s attention away from the road, which causes motorists to lose control of their vehicles, miss important events or simply make mistakes that cause accidents.
Not only does distracted driving put other motorists at risk, it also does the same to pedestrians, motorcyclists and bicyclists.
There are many forms of distracted driving, including the following:
- Texting
- Talking on cellphones
- Eating and drinking
- Interacting with kids riding in the back seat
- Reading maps
Regardless of the form it takes, on the most serious levels, distracted driving can cause and contribute to accidents that result in injuries or death.
To better avoid distracted driving, you must first consider that there are three distinct actions that cause the distraction:
- Drivers’ eyes off the road
- Drivers’ hands off the wheel
- Drivers’ minds off driving
When many people think about distracted driving, cellphone usage is often the first thing that comes to mind. However, the problem of distraction goes much deeper than this, with simple daydreaming having the potential to cause an accident.
Call 911 if you were injured in a distracted driving accident due to another motorist’s distraction as the result texting or otherwise. Once police arrive at the scene, the responding officer will then write a police report. You can use this document to open a claim for damages with the at-fault driver’s auto insurance provider.
Upon receipt of your claim, the defendant’s insurance company should authorize payment for treatment rendered due to your injuries from the wreck caused by their insured party. If you have to miss work, you may be able to add that loss to your claim for compensation.