Driver Distraction Is a Serious Threat

Driver Distraction Is a Serious Threat

Distracted driving has been around since people started driving vehicles more than a century ago. That said, texting and smartphone use generally has taken driver distraction to entirely new levels, and it’s only getting worse. Drivers who don’t focus their full attention on navigating the roadway ahead safely jeopardize the health and well-being of everyone on it.

If you or someone you care about has been injured by a distracted drive, you should consult with an experienced Atlanta car accident attorney today. In many cases, victims of distracted drivers can obtain compensation for their losses, including their property damage, medical expenses, and lost income.

Driver Distraction

The Zebra, an insurance comparison company, shares the following statistics regarding distraction behind the wheel, which are culled from a range of important sources:

• In 2022, driver distraction morphed from a seasonal problem that peaked in the summer and decreased in the winter to a serious problem that remains constant throughout the year.
• In 2020, driver distraction played a role in 8.1 percent of all fatal car accidents and in 20 percent of all injury-causing car accidents.
• Driver distraction in February 2022 was 30 percent higher than driver distraction in February 2020, which makes it the most dangerous month in relation to driver distraction since 2019.

Texting Behind the Wheel

When a motorist chooses to ignore safety concerns and texts behind the wheel, they engage in all three primary kinds of distraction, including those that require one’s eyes, one’s hands, and one’s thoughts. Further, when a driver interacts with their phone for the average of five seconds that it takes to consider or compose a text, they put about the length of a football field behind them when they’re traveling at highway speeds. You probably don’t need to be told that a lot can go wrong when driving blind at highway speeds for the length of a football field – and too often, it does.

Accidents Commonly Associated with Distraction

A distracted driver can cause any kind of dangerous accident, but some are more closely associated than others. Consider the following:

• Rear-End Accidents – Rear-end accidents are often caused by distracted drivers. When a driver takes a quick peek down at their phone, there’s no telling what they’ll discover when they return their focus to the road ahead.
• Head-On Accidents – A motorist who isn’t paying attention to where they’re going is far more likely to head the wrong way down a one-way road – or to end up in the wrong lane when they take a turn.
• Sideswipe Accidents – Distracted drivers are more likely to drift out of their lanes, which sets the stage for dangerous sideswipe accidents. 

It’s Time to Consult with An Experienced Atlanta Car Accident Attorney

The savvy Atlanta car accident attorneys at Kaufman Injury Law appreciate the immense impact a car accident can have on your life, and we’re committed to zealously advocating for compensation that addresses your complete range of physical, financial, and emotional losses. If a distracted driver leaves you injured, please don’t delay reaching out and contacting or calling us at 404-738-9773 for more information about how we can help today.