It is not a bad thing to multitask; however, the time and place matter. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving claimed 2,841 innocent lives in 2018 alone. Per the numbers, it is clear that one cannot drive safely unless their eyes and mind are on the road. There are several campaigns across the world that advocate for safe roads, better driving habits, and fewer risks. Unfortunately, some people do not understand the importance of this message. When a driver fails to take the task of driving seriously, innocent people can sustain severe injuries or die.
If you or a family member suffer the consequences of such careless behavior, you may need a driving distracted accident lawyer on your side to help hold the liable party responsible. To see how the Morris Bart law firm can help, call us at (800) 537-8185 for a free case evaluation.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is any activity that takes your attention away from driving. It may involve texting behind the wheel, eating, fiddling with the stereo, picking up something you dropped, or even just daydreaming. While these actions seem harmless by themselves, they become extremely reckless when paired with a moving vehicle. To save lives, many states have passed laws to regulate the dangerous behaviors that lead to distracted driving.
For a free legal consultation with a Distracted Driving Accident lawyer serving Mandeville, call 800-537-8185
The Types of Distracted Driving
Distracted driving covers a wide range of actions and activities and goes beyond holding a conversation with a passenger in the car. As such, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has divided distracted driving into three main categories.
Manual Distractions
This distraction constitutes actions that cause the driver to remove their hands from the wheel. By doing so, they are unable to control the vehicle properly and are likely to injure other motorists, passengers, and pedestrians. Manual distractions include:
- Texting
- Making or taking a phone call
- Eating or drinking
- Reaching for an item on the floor or backseat
- Adjusting the radio or music
- Adjusting the GPS
- Personal grooming, including applying makeup, wearing or taking off clothes, combing hair, and picking teeth
Visual Distractions
These include people, situations, objects, or activities that cause the driver to take their eyes off the road. Visual distractions can be particularly dangerous since they may cause the driver to have a delayed reaction to danger.
- Reading text messages
- Taking or making video calls
- Browsing the internet or phone applications
- Reading the GPS
- Interacting with an electronic device
- Looking at a passenger when having a conversation
- Checking your appearance in the mirror
- Reading physical or digital content
Cognitive Distractions
These distractions successfully take the driver’s mind off the road for a short or extended period. They may involve emotions, and depending on the situation, cause the driver to be manually and visually distracted, as well.
- Daydreaming
- Thinking about stressful events that are unrelated to driving
- Engaging in an argument with a passenger or someone on the phone
- Focusing on a phone call or conversation with someone in the car
- Disciplining or caring for children
- Engaging in romantic activities behind the wheel
The Repercussions of Distracted Driving Accidents
The fight against distracted driving includes educating motorists about the dangers of taking their eyes and minds off the road and enforcing laws to keep people safe. While it is impossible to prohibit all distractions, the laws aimed at the top offenders include:
- Cell phone usage. Most states have banned texting while driving; some even banned cell phone usage behind the wheel outrightly. In 2009, President Obama issued an executive order for federal leadership on reducing text messaging while driving.
- Driving under the influence. The effects of alcohol, illicit drugs, and some prescription drugs are enough to impair drivers and cause them to be distracted manually, visually, and cognitively. A DUI charge, be it a felony or misdemeanor, can result in a criminal record, jail time, and significant fines.
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Hiring Morris Bart, LLC to Prove Distracted Driving
If you suffered injuries due to the behavior of a distracted driver, a Mandeville distracted driving accident lawyer from the Morris Bart law firm can help you recover damages. Call us at (800) 537-8185 for a free case evaluation. Once hired, our plan of action would be to investigate the accident and prove that distracted driving caused your injuries. We do this by basing our claims on negligence and introducing evidence of the following elements.
- Duty of care: We will prove that the liable driver owed you a duty of care at the time of the accident. Such duty of care includes the driver’s legal obligation to pay attention to the road and obey driving regulations.
- Breach of duty: We will establish that, by engaging in distracted driving, the driver breached their duty of care. Here, the liable driver knew their negligent action could harm others but proceeded to do so anyway.
- The injuries: Our lawyers will prove that the breach of duty resulted in your injuries. We will do this by establishing that the driver’s distracted behavior caused you to suffer specific injuries related to bodily harm or emotional distress.
- The damages: The goal here is to prove that, by suffering specific medical or psychological harm, you endured damages for which you should receive compensation. This compensation may include pain and suffering, lost income, and medical bills.
Contact a Mandeville Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer Today
Our lawyers have helped clients receive compensation for the injuries they sustained in distracted driving accidents. If such negligent behavior has disrupted your life, we would love to help you to pursue legal action against the liable parties. All you need to do is call the Morris Bart law firm at (800) 537-8185 for a free case evaluation.
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