Distracted driving plays a significant role in many accidents. Distractions include texting, talking on the phone, eating, changing radio stations, and more. While it is easier to prove a driver was texting or using their phone on the road, it is challenging to prove that other forms of distraction contributed to an accident.
When you are injured in an accident caused by a preoccupied driver, contact a dedicated car accident attorney who could help demonstrate that the other driver was at fault. We could also help you pursue compensation to cover the costs of your injuries with our ample experience in investigating distracted driving car accidents in Inverness.
Types of Driver Distraction
There are three main types of driver distraction: visual, manual, and cognitive. Visual distractions are anything that causes the driver to take their eyes off the road. Manual distractions involve the driver removing one or both hands from the wheel. Cognitive distractions happen when the driver thinks about something other than driving.
Some instances only involve one type of distraction. For example, a driver arguing with a passenger may have both hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road but still be distracted. However, most distractions involve two or three of the types. Texting while driving is particularly dangerous and involves cognitive, manual, and visual distractions.
Understanding these three broad categories of distractions can help people evaluate whether the other Inverness driver was distracted during an accident. For example, if french fries spill out of their vehicle when they step out of the door, it could be evidence that they were eating when they got in the distracted driving car accident.
Common Causes of Driver Distraction
Anything could become a distraction. Drivers can be dealing with one or more distractions while they are on the road, which can easily cause accidents in Inverness. The longer the drive, the more tempting it is to multitask. However, even drivers on short trips can be distracted.
Texting
Texting is probably the most common distraction and possibly the most dangerous. It is cognitively, manually, and visually distracting. In the time it takes to read a message, a driver may travel 100 yards or more. That is a long distance to travel without watching the road. Texting increases the risk of collisions, swerving into other lanes, or running off the road. Depending on the location, it can also contribute to running stop signs or lights. Texting while driving is illegal in this state, but that does not stop people from doing it.
Talking on the Phone
Talking on the phone is also distracting even when people use hands-free devices because it is a cognitive distraction, which can be just as dangerous as other distractions because the driver could be unaware of potential dangers. In addition to talking, people may be using their phones to play music, watch TV or movies, navigate, play games, or use other apps. Almost every use of a telephone or mobile device is illegal. Fortunately, these devices usually have a record of activity, which can make it easier to prove that a driver was distracted.
Eating and Drinking
Eating and drinking are also very distracting. Taking a sip of a drink or a few bites of food may be minimally distracting. However, food and beverages are messy. When a bite turns into a big drip on someone’s clothes or a sip turns into a spilled drink, it can lead to several moments of distraction. Even just looking away for a second to locate a snack can be deadly.
Connect With an Inverness Attorney About Distracted Driving Car Crashes
When you are in a car accident, it is possible that distracted driving contributed to the wreck. If you want to secure financial recovery, you must demonstrate that the other party was at fault. Proving the other party was distracted at the time of the accident helps establish liability, which a lawyer could help with. Contact one of our attorneys to learn more about distracted driving car accidents in Inverness.
