What is distracted driving? Distracted driving involves activities that divert a driver’s attention. Distractions while driving put the driver, his passengers, and everyone else sharing the road, at serious risk of injury. We’ve all seen other drivers going aimlessly down the road while staring at their phones or other devices. Distracted driving causes many automobile crashes each year. We are committed to helping our clients who are hurt by distracted drivers. We are also committed to increasing awareness and education of this problem. Through awareness and education, we can all make our roads safer. Call our knowledgeable motor vehicle crash attorneys today to discuss distracted driving car accidents in Huntsville.
Traffic safety experts often classify distractions into three main categories: Manual, Visual and Cognitive.
Manual distractions are activities where the driver moves his or her hands away from controlling the vehicle. Through the years, we have investigated many personal injury cases where drivers caused automobile accidents while reaching for objects in other areas of their car.
Visual distractions are activities where the driver focuses his or her eyes away from the road. Many automobile accidents occur because a driver is looking somewhere other than the road.
Cognitive distractions are activities where the driver’s mind wanders away from the task of driving. These drivers are not mentally focusing and paying attention to the important task of driving their car.
Why is texting so dangerous? Texting is especially dangerous because it involves all three types of distraction at the same time. A person who is texting takes their hands, eyes and mind from the task of driving. What are some major types of distractions faced by drivers each day on our highways?
Texting
Eating and drinking
Using a cellphone
Turning attention to other passengers
Grooming
Reading, often maps
Using vehicle or personal navigational systems
Watching a video
Adjusting the radio
Attending or disciplining children passengers
Knowledgeable attorneys could explain how these crashes occur in further detail during a consultation and determine if a texting driver was responsible for a collision.
Dangers of Distracted Driving
While keeping a focus on the roadway may sound like obvious advice, it is too often ignored. Drivers are presented with many activities and devices that can create dangerous risks of distraction.
Texting is a perfect example of how activities can dangerously divert a driver’s attention from the road. Some studies indicate a person’s eyes are diverted from the roadway an average of five seconds at a time while texting. If a driver is traveling at 55 miles per hour and diverts his or her eyes from the road for five seconds, their vehicle will have traveled more than the length of an entire football field. Imagine traveling a distance greater than a football field in a vehicle while blindfolded.
Research from 2011 by the U.S. Department of Transportation revealed startling information about the toll of distracted driving on our highways. According to this research:
Ten percent of fatal crashes in 2011 were reported as distraction affected crashes.
An estimated 387,000 people suffered personal injury in automobile accidents due to distracted drivers in 2011.
An estimated 3,331 people were killed in crashes related to distracted driving in 2011.
The true numbers are likely much higher. Distracted driving plays an unreported role in many car crashes.
The current numbers have also likely increased. While Alabama and other states have enacted laws related to texting while driving, the distractions on our roadways have greatly increased. Portable electronics now allow us easily to watch videos, communicate, view the internet and perform many other tasks all while in our automobiles.
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Seek Assistance from a Huntsville Attorney to Discuss Distracted Driving Accidents
Distracted driving car accidents in Huntsville are a major safety risk on our roads. The Blackwell Law Firm is committed to helping people who have suffered serious injury from automobile accidents. The firm frequently represents people who have suffered spinal injuries, ruptured disks, traumatic brain injuries, fractures, paralysis and other severe injuries caused by the negligence or careless acts of other drivers.
If you or a family member has suffered an accident, we would be happy to answer your questions. Please feel free to call. Case consultations are always free.
Frequently Asked Questions About Distracted Driving Accidents
1. How can I prove the other driver was distracted?
Proving distraction usually requires gathering evidence like traffic camera footage, witness statements, photos of the accident scene, phone records, or vehicle data. Our attorneys know how to investigate thoroughly to support your claim.
2. Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault?
Yes. Alabama follows a modified comparative fault system, meaning you can still recover damages as long as you are not more than 50% at fault. The Blackwell Law Firm can help evaluate your situation and maximize your recovery.
3. What types of compensation are available in distracted driving accidents?
In addition to medical bills, you may recover lost wages, property damage, rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. An attorney can identify all possible damages for your specific case.
Alabama has statutes of limitation for personal injury claims, typically two years from the date of the accident. Acting promptly ensures evidence is preserved and your claim remains valid.
5. Can I hold a company liable if their employee was distracted while driving?
Yes. Employers can sometimes be held responsible under the legal principle of vicarious liability if their employee was driving for work purposes when the accident occurred. Our lawyers can investigate and determine potential parties at fault.
6. How can I document my injuries for a distracted driving case?
Keep detailed records of medical visits, treatments, prescriptions, therapy sessions, and symptom progression. Photos, journals, and witness accounts of how your injury affects daily life can also strengthen your claim.
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