Smartphones and the increasingly sophisticated electronic crash avoidance, navigation, and entertainment systems in our vehicles have transformed the way we live and drive. They are also killing people. Distracted driving – caused by phone use and an array of other devices and behaviors – is an epidemic in the United States, causing accidents, injuries, and deaths every day.
Approximately 3,450 Americans lost their lives in distracted driving accidents in 2016, and distracted driving crashes injured 391,000 people in 2015, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In Kentucky in 2014, over 53,500 crashes were caused by distracted drivers resulting in over 14,000 injuries and 169 deaths, according to the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety.
Distracted driving is irresponsible and negligent, no matter what the distraction is. If you are one of the hundreds of thousands of people who have been hurt or lost a family member because of a distracted driver, you need help, compensation, and justice. At Dixie Law Group in Louisville, our experienced car accident attorneys have seen the tragic consequences that distracted driving causes. That is why we are committed to doing everything we can to help its victims, fighting relentlessly to get them the compensation that can help them recover.
Distracted Driving Is Not Just Caused by Phones
When people think of distracted driving, cell phone use and texting are the first things that come to mind. Indeed, these are the leading – and illegal – distractions that cause drivers to take their eyes off the road. But plenty of other driver behaviors and activities also lead to accidents and injuries.
According to the NHTSA, distracted driving is “any non-driving activity a person engages in that has the potential to distract him or her from the primary task of driving and increase the risk of crashing.”
There are three main types of distractions defined by the NHTSA:
- Visual — your eyes are not on the road
- Manual — your hands are not the wheel
- Cognitive — your mind is not on the thing you should be focusing on
Some of the most common activities other than phone use and texting while while driving that distract drivers include:
- Eating and drinking
- Applying makeup
- Brushing hair
- Reading
- Watching video
- Talking with other passengers
- Using a GPS
- Adjusting stereo or other onboard electronics
Call Dixie Law Group Today to Discuss Your Distracted Driving Injury Claims
If you’ve been hurt or suffered other losses in a crash caused by a distracted driver, please call the Louisville car accident attorneys at Dixie Law Group today for your free initial assessment to discuss your situation and claims. There are no fees unless we recover compensation for you, and if you are unable to meet us in our office, one of our attorneys will come to you.
To make an appointment, call us at 502-290-2397 or schedule a consultation online. We look forward to the privilege of assisting you.
