Drivers should ensure they are paying attention to their driving duties so they can reach their destination safely. Succumbing to distractions of any sort can cause them to miss critical events when they drive. This could lead to catastrophic crashes.
Many drivers assume that they can safely multitask when they’re behind the wheel, but that’s never the case. Even distractions that don’t seem like a big deal can lead to serious injuries.
What types of distractions affect drivers?
There are three primary forms of distractions that can affect drivers. These include:
- Cognitive distractions that affect the thought process
- Visual distractions that take their eyes off the road
- Manual distractions that require them to remove their hand from the wheel
Many actions that drivers do besides simply driving encompass more than one of those. For example, answering a text involves all three.
- Manual distraction: Reaching for the phone and touching the screen
- Visual distraction: Looking at the phone to read the text and type the reply
- Cognitive distraction: Thinking about the text received and formulating the reply
One issue with distracted driving is that it’s always preventable. Drivers can opt to focus solely on their driving duties. When they allow distractions to take over, they put themselves and others at risk of being involved in a catastrophic crash.
Those victims may opt to pursue a compensation claim to help offset the financial damages of the crash. This can include seeking compensation for medical care, lost wages and other expenses. Working with an individual who’s familiar with these matters may be beneficial, especially since the time to get the case filed is limited by state law.
