Just how dangerous is driving distracted? In a word; extremely. When you are behind the wheel, your attention needs to be on the road and nothing else. Distracted driving is responsible for approximately nine deaths a day and over a thousand crash-related injuries every day in the United States. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) cites cell phone usage as one of the most common sources of distracted driving. This creates enormous potential for accidents, injuries, and fatal crashes on our city streets and highways. With hundreds of thousands of drivers using their cell phones while behind the wheel, the potential for deadly crashes and fatal injuries is too huge to ignore.
What is distracted driving?
The definition of distracted driving is the act of driving while engaged in anything else, such as texting, talking on the phone, operating the radio, utilizing apps and entering GPS information, eating, reading, or interacting with passengers, children, pets, or even other drivers. Driving requires the driver’s full and complete attention, one hundred percent of the time. Any activity at all -- even something as simple as changing a radio station or CD, adjusting or checking your GPS, could be a potential distraction and increase the risk of a fatal injury accident.
What are the types of distracted driving?
There are three major types of distracted driving.
- Visual – taking your eyes off the road
- Manual – taking your hands off the wheel
- Cognitive – taking your mind off of driving
Because driving requires our undivided attention, and because driving distracted is such a dangerous, potentially deadly endeavor, drivers should never try to do more than drive when they’re behind the wheel.
How can I avoid driving distracted?
There are some simple ways to avoid distracted driving you can implement today. These include:
- Download and use a “Do not disturb” app on your cell phone.
- Get directions and have your GPS ready before you leave for your destination.
- Pull over to the side of the road or a safe parking lot to make any phone calls or GPS adjustments en route.
- Avoid changing radio stations or CDs while driving.
- Secure any pets traveling with you.
- Double check that children are securely fastened into car seats and booster seats.
- If you are over tired and finding it difficult to concentrate, postpone driving and rest.
What are your rights if you are involved in a distracted driving accident?
You may think “everybody does it” and you may even be guilty of driving distracted yourself. That doesn’t mean you have no legal rights if you are ever involved in an accident caused by a distracted driver where you sustain injuries. Whenever you’re involved in an auto accident, you have a legal right to seek compensation for your injuries and damages, which can include payment for past and future medical bills and treatment, past and future pain and suffering, chronic pain, diminished quality of life, inconvenience, emotional distress, impairment and physical disability, disfigurement, replacing your vehicle, lost wages, replacing any personal property that is damaged or destroyed in the accident, and more.
In order to find out exactly what you’re entitled to receive, you’ll need a qualified distracted driving attorney to effectively pursue a lawsuit against the person or entity responsible. At Whalen Injury Lawyers, we work closely with you to ensure you receive the support you deserve and the representation you rely on in a distracted driving accident case. Our personal injury lawyers have recovered over $25 million on behalf of our clients, including millions of dollars in car accident cases.
At Whalen Injury Lawyers, our goal is to secure fair and equitable settlements for our clients who are victims of a distracted driving accident. We endeavor to establish direct, meaningful, trusted and reliable relationships with every client we represent. When you need an experienced distracted driving legal team with a proven track record of success, contact us today. We’re happy to offer you a free consultation with one of our successful distracted driving lawyers to discuss your legal options. Our Denver Tech Center office is conveniently located at 7955 East Arapahoe Court, Suite 2375 in Centennial, CO 80112. You can reach us in Denver by calling (720) 307- 2666. Our Colorado Springs legal office is located in the Alamo Corporate Center at 102 South Tejon Street, Suite 1100, Colorado Springs, CO 80903. You can contact us in Colorado Springs by calling (719) 644-7000. Give us a call today. We look forward to helping you get the fair compensation you deserve.
