When most people think of distracted driving, they tend to think of someone typing away on their cellphone while navigating through traffic. Texting, talking and using apps on a smartphone is indeed a huge safety hazard on Wisconsin’s highways and surface roads. However, doing almost anything else while driving can also cause a terrible car accident. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), while the use of electronic devices by drivers is slightly decreasing, other forms of distracted driving remain prevalent and dangerous.
Four non-phone distractions
Let us explore four significant causes of distracted driving crashes:
- Eating and drinking while driving: Handling food or drinks while driving can cause you to take your hands off the wheel and your eyes off the road. This split in focus can lead to slower reaction times and decreased control of the vehicle.
- Grooming: Putting on makeup, brushing your teeth, combing your hair and other grooming activities should be done at home before getting on the road.
- Interacting with passengers: Conversations with passengers can significantly distract a driver. Engaging in intense discussions or turning to look at someone in the backseat can divert attention from the road and increase the likelihood of an accident.
- Free-roaming pets: Pets can be unpredictable, and if they are not properly secured, they can roam freely inside the vehicle, causing distractions. The need to attend to a pet while driving can dangerously split a driver’s focus.
Even a brief distraction can have profound consequences for someone else on the road. Driving while looking away from the highway for even five seconds at 55 mph is the same as driving across a football field with a blindfold on.
The consequences of being struck by a distracted driver can be devastating. Injuries can range from minor to severe, and in the worst cases, can be life-altering. The aftermath of such accidents not only affects physical health but can also lead to significant financial and emotional stress.
Knowing your options for recovering damages
If you or someone you know in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, has been injured in a crash involving a distracted driver, it is crucial to understand your rights and the potential for compensation. Contacting a personal injury lawyer can provide you with the necessary information to assess your options and possibly help secure the compensation you deserve for your suffering and losses.