Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of accidents in the United States, including Florida. According to official statistics, more than 50,000 car crashes occur each year resulting from distracted driving, leading to serious physical injury and death. No matter how minor the accident, the injuries resulting from these incidents can leave a victim with significant physical and emotional trauma and hundreds of thousands of dollars in financial losses. If you or your loved one got injured in a traffic accident resulting from a driver’s negligent behavior, you can seek legal action against them to recover your monetary and non-monetary damages. Although it might not turn back the clock, the compensation can help get your life back on track after the traumatizing experience of getting involved in a car accident.
Smartphones
Using a smartphone while driving is one of the most common causes of distracted driving incidents throughout the United States. Texting, calling, or navigating apps on your smartphone while driving can take your attention off the road. This can significantly raise the chances of your car crashing into another vehicle by impairing your reflexes. While you might be tempted to reply to the text you just received, you are better off reading it later to ensure the safety of you and other drivers on the road. Your safety and the safety of others are more important than checking on a text at the moment.
Driver Fatigue
Driving while tired and low on energy can make you fall asleep behind the wheel and distract your attention from the traffic on the road. Most drivers who take long trips across the state or country without taking adequate breaks for eating and sleeping are likely to fall asleep while driving and crash into another vehicle. It is advisable to divide your long trip into manageable segments during your trip. That way you can include breaks for naps that can recharge your energy and freshen you up for the journey. Tired driving needlessly puts everyone in danger and carries a serious risk of physical harm and death. It can be dangerous and it’s best to take care of yourself when you can.
Passengers
Talking to passengers in your car is a good way to remain alert on the road and ensure that you will not fall asleep. However, having emotionally charged conversations or crying children can quickly become dangerous and take your attention off the incoming traffic. You are more likely to collide with another vehicle or hit a pedestrian due to the distractions inside your car. It is important to keep children engaged in an activity like watching cartoons or playing with toys to ensure that they will not be a distraction to your safe driving. You want to keep other conversations minimal so you can have all your attention on the road.
Media Consoles
While media consoles provide an excellent means of manipulating music controls and navigation systems, you are very likely to take your eyes off the road to make adjustments. A momentary lapse in concentration can prove deadly. You should always manipulate any controls on your media console or vehicular navigation system when you stop your car at a safe place away from busy traffic. Even voice control can be an unnecessary distraction that can prove lethal due to impaired attention and reflexes. So before you drive make sure all your systems are working and avoid any type of unscary distractions.
Conclusion
If you or your loved one got injured in a distracted driving accident, you can enlist the help of a skilled traffic accident attorney to pursue legal action against the negligent driver. A competent lawyer will handle all legal matters on your behalf as you focus on recovering from your injury, and ensure a successful outcome through a personal injury lawsuit. Try to keep your engagement on the road instead of any distractions. It will help you avoid an accident and keep you safe. Driving requires all your attention so be sure you are ready to have a safe drive when you are behind the wheel.
