Why Is Distracted Driving So Dangerous?

 Posted on August 15,2024 in Distracted Driving Accidents

Any person who gets behind the wheel of a motor vehicle assumes a legal obligation to drive safely and use care to avoid harming others. Distracted driving violates that duty of care, potentially causing injury or fatal car collisions. Because distracted driving is a form of negligence, injured accident victims may be able to obtain compensation from the at-fault driver.

Why are distractions so dangerous? What is negligence, and how does it affect your claim? The personal injury lawyers at Salvi & Maher, LLP will explain and help you pursue your legal options.

What Is Distracted Driving?

Driving distractions can be audible (sounds), cognitive (thoughts), manual (hands), or visual (sights). Driving safely requires that a driver’s attention is focused on driving, his hands on the steering wheel, his eyes on the road, and that sounds like music are not so loud that the driver cannot hear sirens or horns blaring.

While some distractions only belong to one category, others fall into multiple. Frequent distractions include:

• Texting while driving

• Eating, drinking, and smoking

• Putting on makeup or fixing hair

• Interacting with passengers

• Using earbuds to listen to music

• Daydreaming

• Looking for loose objects

Human errors cause approximately 94 percent of U.S. car crashes. Distracted driving is one of the most common errors.

Why Is Distracted Driving Dangerous?

When drivers are not fully engaged in operating their vehicles, they may not notice sudden braking in front of them, see an animal dart onto the road, or hear honking horns. These drivers might drift into other traffic lanes, slow down or speed up erratically, or run red lights.

Distractions can delay drivers' responses to emerging traffic or road conditions. At times, distracted drivers may not react at all, hitting other vehicles at full speed. These crashes can cause otherwise avoidable injuries and fatalities. 

What Is Negligence?

Several behaviors that drivers may exhibit are considered negligent, including distracted driving. Negligence, meaning a person failing to act like a reasonable person would in the same situation, is the basis of most personal injury claims. 

In order to obtain compensation from a distracted driver, you will need evidence proving negligence. Many times, an investigation is necessary to gather the evidence you need. Even then, the distracted driver’s insurance company may balk at paying your claim fairly.

When you choose Salvi & Maher, LLP, we will investigate your accident to uncover evidence that supports your claim. We will not let insurance companies take advantage of you; we will fight to protect your best interests and work to collect the maximum amount of compensation available.

Call Salvi & Maher, LLP Now for Your Free Consultation With an Experienced Waukegan, IL Distracted Driving Lawyer

With over 85 years of combined experience and more than $300 million recovered for our clients, Salvi & Maher, LLP is well-equipped to handle your case. Call us at 847-662-3303 today to speak with one of our effective Lake County, IL car accident attorneys. Spanish and Korean speakers are available for your convenience.