Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of motor vehicle accidents in the United States. If you or someone you love was hit by a negligent driver, you may be wondering whether that person’s behavior qualifies as distracted driving. Distracted driving is defined as any activity that takes a driver’s attention away from the road.
Distracted driving claims can be difficult to prove. Our car accident lawyers can investigate your crash, gather evidence, and help hold the other driver accountable for your losses.
What Is the Definition of Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving is any activity that diverts a driver’s attention away from operating their vehicle safely. Traffic safety experts generally divide distractions into three categories:
- Visual distractions: These activities cause a driver to take their eyes off the road.
- Manual distractions: These activities require a driver to remove one or both hands from the steering wheel.
- Cognitive distractions: These activities take a driver’s mental focus away from driving.
For a free legal consultation, call 844-767-8626
What Is Not Considered Distracted Driving?
Not everything a driver does behind the wheel is considered distracted driving. Some actions are necessary for the safe operation of a vehicle.
Examples of these actions include:
- Checking your mirrors
- Monitoring vehicle gauges and warning lights
- Looking over your shoulder before changing lanes
- Following GPS directions through voice guidance without looking away from the road
What Are Common Examples of Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving can take many forms. Common examples include:
- Texting while driving
- Reading emails or messages
- Making phone calls
- Using social media apps
- Entering destinations into a GPS device
- Adjusting vehicle controls
- Eating or drinking
- Grooming activities such as applying makeup
- Reaching for objects inside the vehicle
- Talking with passengers
- Attending to children or pets
- Daydreaming or becoming mentally distracted
Click to contact our personal injury lawyers today
Why Is Texting Considered So Dangerous?
Texting is often regarded as one of the most dangerous forms of distracted driving because it combines visual, manual, and cognitive distractions.
When a driver sends or reads a text message, they must:
- Look away from the road
- Remove at least one hand from the steering wheel
- Concentrate on the message instead of the surrounding traffic
This combination compromises a driver’s ability to identify hazards and respond appropriately. During the time it takes to send a text, a vehicle can travel hundreds of feet.
Is Distracted Driving Illegal?
Many states have enacted laws that prohibit certain forms of distracted driving, particularly the use of handheld electronic devices.
Depending on the jurisdiction, drivers may face penalties for:
- Texting while driving
- Holding a cellphone while operating a vehicle
- Using electronic devices in school zones
- Using handheld devices while driving commercial vehicles
Violations may result in fines, points on a driver’s license, increased insurance premiums, and other penalties. In addition, even if a specific distraction is not explicitly prohibited by law, a distracted driver may still be held responsible for causing an accident due to negligent behavior.
How Does Distracted Driving Cause Accidents?
Safe driving requires continuous observation, decision-making, and reaction. When a driver becomes distracted, they are more likely to:
- Miss traffic signals and stop signs
- Drift into adjacent lanes
- Follow other vehicles too closely
- Fail to yield the right of way
- Miss pedestrians in crosswalks
- Overlook changing traffic conditions
A driver who looks away from the road for only a few seconds may not have enough time to stop or change direction when unexpected hazards arise.
How Do You Prove Distracted Driving?
Several types of evidence can help you prove that the driver who hit you was distracted, including:
- Cellphone records showing calls, texts, or app usage
- Witness statements from passengers or bystanders
- Traffic camera or surveillance footage
- Dashcam recordings
- Vehicle data from onboard systems
- Social media activity occurring around the time of the accident
- Admissions made by the other driver
If necessary, our car accident attorneys will work with accident reconstruction experts and other professionals to gather evidence and prove who is at fault for your crash.
Common Injuries in Distracted Driving Accidents
Distracted driving accidents can lead to a wide range of injuries, such as:
- Latigazo cervical
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Huesos rotos
- Lesiones de tejidos blandos
- Cuts and lacerations
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Daños en órganos internos
What Should You Do After a Distracted Driving Accident?
The steps you take after a car crash matter. If you are hit by a distracted driver, it’s important to:
- Call 911 and file an accident report.
- Trade contact and insurance information with the other driver.
- Take photographs of the accident scene and any visible injuries.
- Obtain witnesses’ contact information.
- Seek immediate medical attention.
- Preserve any evidence related to the crash.
- Consult a car accident attorney as soon as possible.
Contact Our Car Accident Lawyers
Distracted driving accidents can have life-changing consequences for everyone involved. If you were injured in a collision with a distracted driver, the car accident lawyers at Postman Law can help you build a strong personal injury claim and recover a fair settlement.
Schedule a consulta gratuita to find out how you can pursue justice.