Distraction is easy. Our eyes and attention are often drawn in multiple directions at once. And usually, that’s okay. But when focusing is essential for safety, like when you’re driving, even the slightest distraction can lead to serious or fatal motor vehicle accidents.
Distracted Driving Awareness Month takes place every April. This observance is intended to provoke interest in precisely what distracted driving is and how to stop it from causing more harm. The latter is simple: avoid all forms of distraction while driving. The former? That one’s not so cut and dry.
So…What Exactly is Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving is driving while doing anything that is not directly related to operating a vehicle. Even for one second. Even if you’ve done it before. Anything that takes your eyes from the road, your hands from the wheel, or your mind from driving is a distraction. This includes obvious things like cellphone use, programming GPS, or applying makeup, all of which require hands, eyes, and attention, along with more subtle distractions like:
- Looking at scenery
- Turning to talk to a passenger
- Unrestrained pets in the vehicle
- Daydreaming
- Rubbernecking
Eating and drinking? Yes. Those are distractions. Smoking? Absolutely a distraction. Searching the floor for a dropped item? You get the point. Anything that takes eyes, hands, or attention from the task of driving can cause harm – a fact illustrated by the nearly 425,000 accidents and 3,200 deaths caused by distracted driving yearly.
How Can You Prove Distraction?
If distraction encompasses so many behaviors, it may seem simple to prove its role in an accident, but this is not always the case. Determining your accident's cause is one of the most compelling reasons to have an attorney on your side as soon as possible following an injury.
Through accident reconstruction, witness interviews, and thorough investigative techniques, the lawyers at Keller Law work to identify all contributing factors in an accident. By reviewing all of the factors that played a role in an accident, we can better build solid cases that seek total compensation for injury victims. If you have been injured, we encourage you to get in touch for a complimentary case review where we can help you determine if you have cause to file suit.
Please call Kelleher Law at 833-546-3675 to schedule your free consultation today. We have offices in Florida and Georgia. We serve victims of serious injury living throughout both states.
