You likely come across distractions in your everyday life on a frequent basis. In many cases, these distractions do little more than cause you to divert your attention for a few moments from a task to which you should readily attend. However, if individuals become distracted while driving, a high possibility exists that a serious accident could occur.
There are many distractions that bombard people at any given time, and there are three main types of distractions, as follows:
- Visual distractions: This type of distraction involves a driver’s eyes leaving the road. Eye-catching attractions on the side of the road, car accidents, passengers and text messages can lead to a driver looking away from the road. Even if the driver’s eyes drift for only a moment, enough time passes for a serious incident to take place.
- Manual distractions: A manual distraction results in the driver taking his or her hands from the steering wheel. Attempting to answer a cellphone or reply to a text message, changing the radio station, eating, and rummaging through a purse or bag all lead to drivers taking at least one hand from the wheel. When this happens, drivers do not have as much control as they would when both hands securely steer the vehicle.
- Cognitive distractions: Cognitive distractions take the driver’s mind off the task of operating the vehicle. Talking with passengers or on a cellphone, replying to a text message, or simply allowing your mind to drift to other topics, such as dinner or your job, all contribute to a driver’s mind focusing less on driving. As a result, reaction times slow when it comes to changes in the flow of traffic, posted road instructions or obstructions in the roadways.
Distracted driving remains one of the main contributing factors in car accidents. Thousands of people suffer fatal injuries and hundreds of thousands suffer other injuries every year due to distracted driving. Many individuals consider texting one of the most harmful distractions as it falls into all three category types.
If you have suffered serious injuries in a crash caused by a distracted driver, you may find yourself facing hardships relating to your recovery and the costs associated with treatment. Luckily, you have the right to pursue compensation for the damages suffered.
Filing a civil legal claim could assist you in such an endeavor. Additionally, an experienced Tennessee attorney could explain your options and help you find the right path for working toward your desired goals.