Types Of Distractions In Car Accidents And Methods To Deal With it

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports in the U.S, nearly 3000 to 3500 people lost their lives in car accidents due to the negligence of distracted drivers in 2020. And according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports, 25% of people who got fatal injuries as the result of distracted driving were younger adults of age 20 to 29. You must be feeling disheartened after these reports, this is a natural sensation.

No doubt distractions during driving are dangerous and anything that diverts your mind during driving is called a distraction. What we can do to avoid car accidents is to make awareness among the people regarding the driving distractions and take action against those who used cell phones during driving or did something that distracted them and caused an accident. However, safe driving needs focus and concentration and car accidents can be avoided to some extent by avoiding these distractions.

If you or your dearer one have confronted a car accident as the result of distracted driving or due to the negligence of another driver then it is your responsibility to take legal help from the Athens Car Accident Lawyer. I believe taking action against the wrongdoers plays a great role as it gives lessons to them and others as well. Secondly, you will get compensation for your losses. 

Types Of Distractions

There are three types of distractions that can result in car accidents. 

Visual Distraction

Visual distraction involves your eyes suddenly getting off the road while driving. Like while driving you saw a crash on the roadside or you were looking at the passenger or reading billboards. Not focusing on driving can cause these distractions and you can face disastrous results. When you take your eyes off of the main road there are the chances you don’t get aware of the road signals or don’t look at the distance between the car that is ahead of you and chances are to be involved in a t-bone or rear-end collision.

Manual Distraction

Manual distraction involves when you start doing something with your hands while driving. Like you are eating or drinking something with one hand and with the other hand, you are controlling the car steering. Sometimes you get busy changing the song on tape or trying to turn the radio station in your car tape. Mishap happens when suddenly a dog or pedestrian comes in front of your car and it becomes difficult for you to maintain control and this can result in a collision.

Cognitive Distraction

Cognitive distraction is defined as a distraction due to mental consciousness. Accidents happen when your mind gets distracted due to daydreaming or while arguing with someone. Sometimes you become frustrated and lose focus on driving. Cognitive distractions are dangerous and can result in severe accidents. 

Some Examples Of Distraction Driving Are:

• Using cell phones while driving like texting or calling a number
• Using GPS or google maps to reach a certain location
• Looking at the passenger while talking to them or arguing with them
• Adjusting the AC for climate control
• Daydreaming is one of the main reasons for car accidents
• Eating and drinking 
• Having pets or children in the car and dealing with them can distract your while driving
• Smoking 
• Grooming yourself while driving like combing or applying something on to face
• Driving while being emotional means you drop your loved one at the airport and now you are feeling emotional.

How To Prevent Distraction Driving?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is doing a great job. They are running a campaign “U drive, U text, U pay” from 8 april to 12. And april is known as National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. In this month they raise awareness regarding the dangers of distracted driving, legal consequences against those who use cell-phones while driving and encourage safe driving. NHTSA provided some points to prevent distraction driving are:

• Maintain focus on driving only
• Don’t use cellphone while driving, better to use hand-free
• If there is something urgent, better to park your car at safe side and then use cell-phone

Some other tips:

• Parents should tell their young adults that driving needs full attention.
• The passenger should talk with the driver and ask him to focus on driving.
• Use apps to avoid phone calls while driving.
• Don't multitask while driving, better you should set the mirrors or other things before starting driving.

In Last

What should you do if you are injured due to hit by distracted driver?

If you confronted an accident due to distracted driver then firstly you should seek the medical help in case of injury and call the police. You should report the police file and then within few days you should take the legal help and contact the Athens Car Accident Lawyer. If the driver was using a cell-phone while driving then your lawyer will collect the evidence with the help of call record and help you to get compensation for the injuries and financial lose you have faced.