subject: Driving While Distracted Causes Majority Of Auto Accidents [print this page] A split second can change a life. This is often the case when people are distracted while driving, causing accidents that may result in serious injuries. Drivers should never attempt to complete other tasks while operating a vehicle. Unintentional lane changes, near-collisions or actual collisions can occur when a driver is distracted.
There are many distractions present in modern life, and people are frequently distracted while driving. Stories of the accidents resulting from these distractions are often featured on the news. A driver can be distracted while checking portable gadgets for updates, or operating a phone keypad with one hand-these habits are now commonplace. Other driver distractions include: putting on makeup, fixing hair, eating, or sipping a beverage. This type of multi-tasking is incredibly dangerous.
One of the most common driving distractions is the use of cellphones. A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, together with other agencies, organizations, and universities, discovered some alarming results.
According to the general statistics, a driver's response time is reduced when talking on the phone, and it is equal to the reduced response time of a drunk driver with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or up. Texting while driving was also found to reduce driving-related brain activity by thirty-seven percent. The study also revealed that a driver is 23 times more likely to get into a vehicular accident while texting behind the wheel.
There are other alarming facts regarding the increased risk of getting into a car accident while using a cell phone. All age groups get into serious accidents while using cellphones. According to the study, almost half of people ranging from 18-24 years of age text while behind the wheel. Nearly 25 percent of drivers aged 16-19 are involved in serious car accidents while texting or talking on the phone. There has been a four percent increase in these types of cases every year. Adults are as likely as teens to text while driving, and are more likely to talk on the phone while driving. Adults talking on cell phones cause twenty-five percent of all auto accidents.
These accidents often cause serious injuries. Whiplash occurs when a passenger is rapidly thrown in a forward then backward motion, injuring the neck and spine. Whiplash can result in swelling and damage to the discs in the vertebrae. Other serious injuries can include traumatic brain injuries and bone fractures. Some injuries resulting from car accidents can be fatal.
After any accident, victims should be brought to the nearest medical facility for treatment. Some injuries are not visible to the naked eye, and some can result after a few days or weeks, so thorough checkups are imperative. If you are a victim of a distracted driver, it is your right to consult a vehicular accident attorney to look into your case. It is your right to get justice and fair compensation for your pain and suffering. Call (757) 539-4127 or toll free 1-888-858-2968 today to discuss your case with an experienced Virginia personal injury attorney.
by: Oscar F. Matthews
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