Reacting to an Accident with a Distracted Driver
Today, distracted driving has become one of the leading traffic safety concerns throughout the United States. Distracted driving can come in a number of forms including texting and driving, consuming food or beverages while driving, or any action that will take a driver’s hands off the wheel or eyes off the road. Despite the fact that distracted driving is inherently dangerous, thousands of Americans make the reckless decision to drive while distracted. If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident caused by a distracted driver, you need the help of a qualified legal professional.
Is Distracted Driving Really that Dangerous?
With the sheer number of distracted drivers on American roadways, it is natural to wonder how much of a health hazard distracted driving is. The short answer is simply that distracted driving is one of the leading causes of motor vehicle collisions and traffic fatalities in the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving resulted in approximately 2,841 fatalities throughout 2018 alone. While the vast majority of these deaths were drivers and passengers, an alarmingly high number of pedestrians (400) and bicyclists (77) were killed by the reckless actions of distracted drivers.
The dangers of distracted driving are multifaceted, taking your hands off of the wheel will impact your ability to operate a vehicle safely, while taking your eyes away from the road will impact your reaction time. Studies conducted by the NHTSA state that reading or sending a text takes a driver’s eyes off the road for an average of five seconds. If the driver is traveling at 55 mph or higher, they will be driving blind for at least 100 yards.
Contact an Aurora Car Accident Attorney
While distracted driving accidents can be frightening, the good news is that negligence can be easy to prove in these cases. Skilled attorneys can utilize witness testimony and surveillance footage to prove that the driver was in fact distracted at the time of the accident. At Kinnally Flaherty Krentz Loran Hodge & Mazur, P.C., our team is dedicated to helping our clients receive the compensation they deserve in the aftermath of a car accident. To schedule a free consultation with a knowledgeable Kane County personal injury attorney, call us today at 630-907-0909.
Source:
https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving
