Distracted driving is a leading cause of car accidents in the United States. In 2014, more than 3,000 Americans lost their lives in distracted-driving crashes, and 431,000 suffered injuries. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration groups all distractions into three categories:
- Visual: Any distraction that takes your eyes off the road;
- Manual: Any distraction that takes your hand off the wheel; and
- Cognitive: Any distraction that takes your mind off the task of driving.
The deadliest distractions fall into multiple categories. For example, texting impairs a driver’s visual, manual and cognitive abilities simultaneously. If you were injured by a distracted driver in Louisiana, contact Morris Bart, LLC. Lafayette auto accident lawyer will help you claim the maximum compensation for health-care expenses, lost income and other damages.
Call 800-537-8185 to schedule a free initial consultation. Read on to learn about five common causes of distracted driving crashes:
Using a Cell Phone while Driving
At any moment in the day, 660,000 people across the country are using their phones or other electronic devices while driving, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. At least 1.3 percent of fatal accidents involve a driver who was distracted by his or her phone. However, the National Safety Council believes that cell phone-related road deaths may be massively underreported.
For a free legal consultation, call 800-537-8185
Eating or Drinking
Many early-morning commuters eat their breakfast on the go, but all it takes is one spilled cup of coffee to cause an accident. Also, eating behind the wheel is a physical, mental and visual distraction. A survey conducted by Brake in the United Kingdom found that 62 percent of drivers have eaten behind the wheel in the past year.
If you are driving 55 mph, in the two seconds it takes you to unwrap a burger, your car would have traveled more than 50 yards.
Reading Maps
If you’re lost in an unfamiliar area and you don’t have a GPS, you might be tempted to read a map to find your bearings. However, taking your eyes off the road for just two seconds doubles your risk of crashing, according to the American Automobile Association.
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Adjusting the Car’s Radio
Most of people are bad at multitasking. According to a University of Utah study, 97 percent of people cannot complete two activities at once without experiencing substantial loss in task performance. Turning up the volume on your car’s radio will divert your attention from driving and increase your risk of crashing.
Grooming
A survey conducted by Erie Insurance found that 51 percent of motorists groomed themselves while driving in the past year. Brushing your hair may seem trivial, but doing it at the wrong time could be fatal.
If you were injured in a crash caused by a distracted driver in Louisiana, contact a Lafayette accident attorney from Morris Bart, LLC. Call 800-537-8185 to schedule a free initial consultation.
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