Our readers know that car accidents are incredibly common in New York, but the reasons for any given collision can vary widely.
Reckless driving, trucking violations, drunk driving – these are all commonly cited as the main cause of car accidents. Distracted driving, however, has risen up the ranks as one of the most common causes of car accidents, especially in the age of the smartphone.
Shocking statistics
Car accidents caused by distracted drivers may be more common than our readers think. For example, according to statistics kept by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately nine people die every day in America due to distracted driving.
That doesn’t just mean that a driver was on a cellphone, leading to a crash. Anything that takes a driver’s focus off of the task of operating the vehicle could be considered to be a distraction.
In fact, the CDC lists three types of distractions on its website: visual, manual and cognitive. Visual, of course, means drivers taking their eyes off of the road. Manual distraction occurs when drivers take their hands off of the wheel. And cognitive distractions occur when drivers aren’t thinking about the task of driving.
Now, cellphone use obviously involves all three types of distraction. But other activities, such as using a car’s entertainment system, talking with others in the car, changing the radio station, eating or even putting on makeup can be forms of distraction. The danger of distracted driving cannot be ignored.
If you have been injured in a car accident that involved distracted driving, you may be able to pursue financial compensation in a personal injury lawsuit.