Distracted driving is a serious concern, but most drivers don’t even think about it before doing it. Anytime you get behind the wheel, there’s a 70% chance that you’ll do something distractive while driving. You may not even realize you’re doing it. Maybe you’re eating a breakfast burrito because you didn’t have time to stop for breakfast. Or you aren’t prepared for a business meeting, and you keep glancing at important charts while you’re stuck at a red light. None of these things seem like they’re criminal, but they can make it a lot harder for your Palm Springs car accident lawyer.
It would be naïve to think that most drivers aren’t distracted at some point. The problem is that nobody admits it when the cops question them. This means your lawyer has to find evidence from other sources to prove your case. Here, we’ll talk about the most common reasons for distracted driving and help you keep an eye out for risky drivers on the road with you.
How Common Is It for Drivers to Take Their Eyes Off the Road?
Believe it or not, people take their eyes off the road for all sorts of reasons. We’ve all done it. You may see a fancy car pull up next to you and take more than a few seconds to check it out. Or you could be late for work and are trying to put makeup on while waiting at a red light. The next thing you know, the car behind you slams into the back of your car. Even though the rear driver is almost always considered at fault, if they can prove you were grooming, you may have a hard time collecting damages.
The Number One Reason for Distracted Driving is Daydreaming
While most people think texting and talking on their cell phones is the most common distraction, it’s actually daydreaming. We all have a hard time shutting our brains down. We all multi-task so often it’s hard to concentrate on one thing. You may be thinking about getting a promotion at work or winning the lottery. You could be dreaming about the attractive guy or girl who just drove by you on the Interstate. We all daydream and it’s a very common cause of distracted driving accidents.
People Eat and Drink When They Should Be Paying Attention to the Road
Have you ever gone through the drive-through and ordered your lunch? You probably eat it on the way back to the office because you just don’t have time to sit down and eat. We are rushed from one task to the next. Sitting down to take a full lunch is unheard of in this day and age.
We Should All Know the Dangers of Texting and Driving
Despite the billboards and commercials about the dangers of texting and driving, people still do it every day. More than 15% of all young people aged 15-24 admit to texting and driving on a regular basis. And surprisingly, more than 60% of all drivers said they didn’t see talking on the phone as dangerous. This means that, on any given day, more than half the people on the phone could either be texting or talking on the phone. When you take your eyes off the road for just 3 seconds, it’s like driving across a football field with a blindfold on. How many people could you ill in that short time?
If You’re Hurt in a Distracted Driving Accident, Call Us Immediately
If you or your loved one are injured in a distracted driving accident, call us right away. You need to talk to a Los Angeles car accident lawyer as soon as possible after your crash. From the moment after the accident, the defendant is going to do whatever they can to pretend they weren’t distracted. Your attorney needs to move fast to speak to witnesses, get copies of dashcam videos, see if the other driver has a history of driving accidents. Your Palm Springs car accident lawyer will do whatever they can do to prove you’re entitled to damages. Call today and schedule your free, initial consultation.
Take the time to sit down and get the answers you need. Your attorney can tell you what to expect in court. They can also give you an idea of what your case may be worth. Just make sure you don’t wait too long. If you miss the two-year statute of limitations, you won’t be able to file any legal action.
