When you’re driving on the road, you expect the other people around you to pay attention and drive safely. Sometimes, others fail to do this and cause accidents that result in injuries. You may not be able to return to work and have to deal with piling medical expenses. But you can seek help from a Jackson distracted driving accident lawyer from Pittman, Roberts & Welsh. We’re here to help those who were wrongfully injured stand up to the responsible party and get the compensation they deserve.
Distracted Driving Facts and Statistics
Distracted driving causes high numbers of injuries and fatalities each year. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported the following facts:
- Nine percent of fatal crashes were caused by distracted driving in 2016.
- Six percent of drivers were distracted in fatal crashes.
- 562 non-occupants such as cyclists and pedestrians were killed in crashes caused by distracted driving in 2016.
- The age range of 15 to 29-year-old-drivers has the highest use of cell phones while driving.
Because distracted driving is affecting so many people, it’s important to learn about what it is, what it entails, and how it makes driving dangerous.
Breaking Down Distracted Driving
Many people may believe that they won’t make the mistakes that other distracted drivers do because they’re good at multitasking. However, this is a dangerous notion because this simply means they’ve put themselves in risky situations and haven’t gotten into an accident yet. Driving requires your attention and anything that takes away from that increases your chance of causing a collision.
To get a better idea of how distractions affect your driving ability, lets break down the different types of distractions.
- Visual. This applies to anything that takes your eyes off the road. When you’re not looking out the windshield for even a second, you could miss a car stopping in front of you, a car swerving in front of you, someone running into the road, or your own vehicle driving off the road.
- Manual. Taking one or both hands off the wheel reduces your control of the vehicle. You can’t drive steadily or avoid a dangerous situation when both hands aren’t on the wheel. Having one hand could mean overcorrecting and no hands leave you with no control.
- Cognitive. You also need to be present and aware when you’re driving. Distractions that keep your mind occupied on something else can affect how you react to situations on the road.
The most common forms of distracted driving often involve one or more of these distractions. Distracted driving is often caused by:
- Cell Phone Use. Nearly everyone travels with a cell phone. People may try to make calls, text, or use social media while driving. Others may use it to play music in their car.
- Eating or Drinking. Trying to balance food in the car or drinking a beverage takes your concentration away from driving and focuses it all on eating or drinking. It’s best to wait until you reached your destination. If you’re on a long trip, stop and eat.
- Using the Radio. Fiddling with the controls on your dashboard while driving puts you at risk of getting into a car wreck. Before driving, make sure the settings are where you want them.
- Applying Makeup/Flossing. Sometimes in the morning rush, people elect to complete more of their routine while driving. But looking in the mirror instead of the road puts everyone around you in danger.
- Reaching. Items drop on the car floor all the time. While it’s tempting to retrieve the item as soon as possible, it’s safer to wait until you park your car and then you can safely get the item.
- Daydreaming. It can be easy to slip into a hypnotic state and think about other things while driving. But you can stay focused by sitting up straight and taking breaks if you’re driving for a long time.
- Driving While Upset. If you’re angry or crying while driving, you’re not in a safe condition to drive. Pull over and wait until you regain composure.
- Rubbernecking. This is what happens when people slow down to gawk at their surroundings. It can be at an accident scene, a cop pulling someone over, or even a scenic view. They’re more intent on staring at the distraction than remaining focused on the road.
If a distracted driver caused your accident, you can get help from a distracted driving accident lawyer in Jackson.
Seeking Damages After a Distracted Driving Accident in Mississippi
You deserve to have representation that will protect your rights. Our lawyers are trained in looking at accident scenes. We’ll investigate your case and gather evidence to show that your accident injuries were caused by a distracted driver. We’ll also use medical records as evidence of your injuries requiring treatment and preventing you from working and living your everyday life. Then we will fight for you to get the compensation you need.
Get Help from a Jackson Distracted Driving Lawyer
When someone drives recklessly and injures you, the financial consequences shouldn’t fall solely on your shoulders. Pittman, Roberts & Welsh will stand by your side and fight for your rights. With our help, you’ll get a fair settlement so you can move forward with your recovery. Get in touch with us today for a free consultation.
