Driver distractions often involve talking or texting on a mobile phone.
If you spend enough time on the road, you probably have noticed a driver looking at a cell phone while driving at a high rate of speed. The driver might be swerving or operating the vehicle erratically.
Distracted drivers put everyone else on the road at risk of severe injury or death in an accident. According to the National Road Safety Foundation, education and intervention play a role in reducing distracted driving.
National Distracted Driving Awareness Month in April is a time for all motorists to reflect on their driving habits and make an effort to eliminate distractions. Unfortunately, distracted driving continues to be a serious problem on Connecticut roads and nationwide. The National Road Safety Foundation reports that 25-30 percent of all fatal crashes are traced back to distracted driving. More than 325,000 people each year are injured in distracted driving accidents.
What are common distractions for drivers?
Distractions come in many forms, from technology to activities like eating or drinking behind the wheel. Here are some of the most common types of driver distractions:
- Talking and texting on a phone
- Using a GPS
- Adjusting the radio or entertainment system
- Personal grooming or applying makeup
- Daydreaming or zoning out behind the wheel
- Dealing with children or pets
How to avoid distractions
Drivers should stay focused on the road. Too often, they are not paying attention because of a smartphone or a conversation with a passenger, or some other distraction.
Here are some helpful tips to avoid getting distracted:
- Use a text-blocking app on your phone to automatically send a message that you are unavailable
- Put your phone out of reach before you start driving
- Eat at home or pull over to a safe location to eat in your car
- Ask your passengers for help in navigating or responding to phone messages
- Plan your trip before you get behind the wheel
How an attorney can help if you're injured by a distracted driver
At the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone & Morelli, we have experience working with clients injured in distracted driving crashes. Connecticut prohibits the use of hand-held electronic devices while driving. Yet some drivers ignore the law and put others at risk.
Our job as accident attorneys is to fight for victims and hold negligent drivers accountable. If you were injured or lost a loved one in a distracted driving accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. Expenses can add up quickly after an accident. If we handle your case, we will thoroughly examine the accident to determine the facts. You may be entitled to damages for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Depending on the facts, you may be entitled to additional damages.
Distracted driving accidents can be complex. The other driver might have been cited by police, which can be used as evidence in your case. But in some cases, the driver might not have been cited for distracted driving. One of our experienced attorneys can investigate. We may access phone records and use eyewitness testimony to prove the driver was distracted.
Don’t delay taking action after an injury or wrongful death accident. Contact us today for a free consultation. We listen to our clients to help them decide the best course of action. We work on a contingency basis, which means you pay us only if we win your case. There’s no obligation when you contact our law firm. We urge you to talk to us today about your distracted driving accident. Tell them you mean business!