Drivers must pay attention to what they’re doing when they’re on the road. They can’t let things around them distract them. It doesn’t take long for a distraction to lead to a crash. It only takes five seconds to travel the length of a football field if you’re driving 55 miles per hour. When you’re distracted, it’s like you’re driving that far with your eyes closed.
These crashes claim around eight lives per day in this country. The sad fact here is that these are all preventable deaths.
Types of distractions
The issue with distracted driving is that there are many things that can claim a driver’s attention. However, drivers have to worry more about than things that take their eyes off the road. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that there are three distinct types of distractions that drivers face.
- Visual distractions mean the driver isn’t looking at the road.
- Cognitive distractions mean the driver isn’t thinking about driving.
- Manual distractions mean the driver doesn’t have their hands on the steering wheel.
It’s possible that more than one of these can occur at a time. Using a cellphone, for example, means that the driver is using their hands to operate the phone. They have to look at it and they need to think about what they have to do. Unfortunately, that focus on the phone puts innocent people at risk.
Any victim of a distracted driving crash should get the medical care they need for any injuries. They may opt to pursue a claim for compensation. This can help them to recover the damages associated with the crash. Texas law places strict time limits on these cases, so be sure you get it filed quickly. Having experienced legal guidance can help you get the compensation you need.