Category: Driving Accident

On the rise throughout the United States, distracted driving leads to thousands of accidents and fatalities each year. One of the most widely discussed factors in distracted driving is cell phone use. Texting and calling, as well as using GPS or social media-all demand a driver’s attention in several ways. But while cell phones figure largely in accidents related to distracted driving, they are hardly alone in doing so. Other distractions, including eating, adjusting the radio, or talking to passengers, all contribute to crashes.  A complete elaboration on distracted driving is a necessary requirement, especially for those who seek legal process after an accident. Anyone injured in a distracted driving accident may find it necessary to get legal representation, and in this regard, one can obtain the services of a Cincinnati distracted driving accident lawyer.

The Role of Cell Phones in Distracted Driving Accidents

Mobile phones, therefore, have completely changed how communication is done; however, they have also introduced a hazard that has caught the drivers in between. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) now states that the likelihood of a crash increases tremendously while one is using a cell phone. In fact, it’s one of the most dangerous activities in its demand for eye diversion away from the road, a driver taking their hands off the wheel, and the use of whatever bits of mind are left for the driving activity.

The Impact of Texting and Driving

Text messages are one of the most dangerous sources of distracted driving because of the three types of distraction involved, as follows: ·

• Visual distraction: Instead of looking at the road, the driver focuses on the cell phone. ·
• Manual distraction: The driver is typing rather than steering with at least one hand on the steering wheel. ·
• Cognitive distraction: The driver is explaining a message instead of driving.

At 55 miles per hours, it takes five seconds for a car driver to turn their eyes off the road: in this time, they can travel the distance equivalent to that of a football field. That fraction of an interval in time is sufficient to cause unimaginable destruction.

Other Ways Cell Phones Contribute to Distracted Driving

Besides the fact that it is the most attention-grabbing activity done on mobile communication by an individual, other general activities of mobile phones have also increased accident chances. Use of a hands-free device for telephoning also siphons off the cognitive attention of a person. Activities like using apps, Internet browsing, or social media posts while driving are particularly perilous, and many states loosened laws such as those in Ohio to curtail or altogether ban handheld devices on driving in order to curb such threats.

Are cell phones the major cause of distracted driving?

They are one of the prime culprits of distracted driving incidents, although cellphone disturbances are by no means the only contributors to driver distraction. Other forms of distraction have also been an important contributor to crashes.

Other Common Causes of Distracted Driving

1. Eating and Drinking – Besides needing at least one hand off the steering wheel, eating or drinking also leads to spills that further distract the driver’s attention.

2. Using the Radio or GPS – Playing music on the radio or reprogramming a GPS device draws the driver’s attention away from the road.

3. Talking to Passengers – Providing communication while driving could become one of the cognitive distractions affecting the poor driving performance.

4. Reaching for Objects – Leaning or reaching for something in a bag in the backseat or on the passenger seat diverts the driver’s attention and both hands from driving.

5. Daydreaming – Other cognitive distractions, especially lost in thought, are no less dangerous compared to physical distractions.

 These activities do not warrant as much attention as cell phone use, BUT they can be equally dangerous. Studies have shown that some cognitive distractions, which cause a driver to think about something other than driving, are a major contributor to driving accidents.

Preventing Distracted Driving Accidents

The mixture of individual responsibility, law initiatives, and awareness campaigns brings the required reduction for distracted driving accidents. They have the following tactics for drivers to minimize distractions and make roads safe:

• Never use phone: Either put phone away or download an app that announces notifications so as not to be tempted to check patterns while driving.
• Use hands-free technology with caution: Though the hands are free, their attention could still be grabbed, thus interference; to talk or text, do not answer while driving.
• Plan ahead: Preprogram addresses on the GPS and set your AC or radio before starting the car.
• Never multitask: Eating, styling, or manipulating another object has been regarded as a damaging act; none of those should be done while driving.
• Stay focused: Drivers should always focus on the highway and plan for future hazards in order to avoid collisions with less reaction time.

 Further, law enforcement initiatives along with stricter penalties could act as deterrents. For instance, the Ohio hands-free law bans the use of handheld devices while driving: violators pay fines and have points added to a driver record.

Legal Options for Distracted Driving Accident Victims

Many victims’ accidents involving distracted drivers again face serious injuries, financial losses, and emotional pain. If you or a loved one has gotten hurt in a collision that stems from distracted driving, it will become critical to evaluate legal assistance. A Cincinnati distracted driving accident lawyer can explain your rights and legal options concerning compensation. Depending on the nature of the accident, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical expenses.
• Lost wages.
• Pain and suffering.
• Damage to property.
• Cost of rehabilitation.

Although establishing that the careless or trailing driver was neglectfully distracted at the time of an accident may be a little more complicated, an experienced attorney would be able to provide documents such as phone records, eyewitness statements, and videos that would begin establishing a firm case for you. With cell phones having become a great cause of distraction leading to distracted driving accidents, this is hardly the only cause. Other distractions, such as eating, adjusting controls of the vehicle, and general cognitive lapses about something for a few seconds, also contribute to crashes. Preventing these accidents needs concerted efforts among drivers, lawmaking, and law enforcement agencies. Consult with a Cincinnati distracted driving accident lawyer to pursue justice and compensation for your injuries. When we are educated and aware, responsible driving habits are instilled, and a collective effort is achieved to create safer roads for all.