Common sense tells us to pay attention while driving but many careless drivers ignore that call. According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving claimed 3,142 lives in 2019. Victims can suffer severe and life-changing injuries, all because a driver couldn’t wait to do something that could be done when the car is safely parked.
There are many ways people multi-task behind the wheel, including:
- Talking on a cell phone
- Reading maps or GPS devices
- Eating
- Grooming
- Tending to children
While all of these activities can result in dangerous collisions, one distraction is especially dangerous.
Three distractions in one
There are three types of distracted driving:
- Visual: When drivers look at something other than the road
- Manual: When drivers take their hands off the steering wheel
- Cognitive: When drivers focus their minds on something other than driving
Texting while driving is especially dangerous because it takes drivers’ eyes, hands and mind off what they should be paying attention to: the road, surrounding traffic and potential hazards. Michigan law prohibits texting while driving, but that does not stop people from engaging in the dangerous practice. It takes a split second for a hazard to enter the roadway. Drivers who are not paying attention simply do not have enough time to react.
Uncovering evidence of distraction
An at-fault driver may not admit to engaging in distracted behavior at the time of an accident, but there are ways to find the facts. Evidence may come in many forms, from eyewitness testimony to examining skid marks to reviewing cell phone and text message records. The key concern for victims is obtaining justice and compensation for the injuries and other hardships they have suffered. A thorough investigation into the cause of the accident can help achieve that goal.
