With all of the discussion of late regarding the use of cellular telephones and text messaging while driving, many people have started to forget that distracted driving is not limited to cell phone usage. Distracted driving can be the result of a myriad of other distractions and is one of the leading causes of collisions in the United States each year. Long before hand held devices became commonplace in the United States, thousands of people each year were injured as the result of collisions with a driver who was distracted while driving.
Aside from using a handheld device such as a cellular telephone, there are many other things a driver can do to take her eyes, or attention, away from the roadway. Eating while driving, talking to other passengers in the vehicle, applying make-up, worrying about children or animals in the vehicle or even looking at another accident have long been the cause of accidents due to driver distraction. With the number of vehicles on the nation’s roadways climbing each year, and the addition of yet another potential distraction for drivers, the possible consequences of distracted driving cannot be underemphasized.
When a driver taker her eyes or attention off the road, even for a second, the consequences can be deadly. Accidents happen in mere seconds. That means that a driver generally has less than five seconds to recognize a potential collision, react to it and hopefully avoid it. When anything causes a driver to lose her ability to react to a collision, that may be considered negligence on the part of the driver. Negligence is a legally term that essentially means fault or blame. When someone else causes, or contributes to, an accident due to driving while distracted, any injuries that result may be compensable.
Although the other driver may have not intended any harm to come from turning around to check on the kids, applying that last bit of make-up on the way to the office or eating lunch in the car to save time, the bottom line is that if a distraction such as those caused the driver to be involved in a collision then that may amount to negligence. That negligence, in turn, may be the basis for a personal injury lawsuit that may entitled you to compensation for the injuries caused by that negligence.
If you believe that you were injured in a collision with a driver who may have been driving distracted, then you may be entitled to monetary compensation for any injuries you suffered. Compensation may include payment of your medical and hospital bills, payment for any income lost from time off of work and compensation for any pain and suffering you endured as a result of the collision. In order to better understand your legal options, contact the personal injury law firm of Ledger & Associates for a free detailed evaluation of your case. The firm may be reached by calling 1-800-300-0001 or you may visit them online at www.ledgerlaw.com
