Distracted drivers are a hazard to others who share the road with them. It’s imperative that all drivers give the road their full attention when they’re on the road. Some might not realize the scope of things they don’t need to do while they drive. Because of this, there’s a chance that they’ll cause an accident.

Approximately 8 people die at the hands of distracted drivers each day. The issue with this is that these are preventable accidents because the driver could have opted to not allow distractions to overtake them while they were behind the wheel.

3 Categories of Distractions

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recognizes three categories of distractions for drivers. These three include:

• Cognitive distractions: These include distractions that take your mind off the driving duties.
• Visual distractions: These include anything that makes you take your eyes off the road.
• Manual distractions: These include things that force you to take either hand off the wheel.

One thing that many drivers don’t realize is that even activities they view as safe can meet the criteria for one or more of those. Looking at billboards on the roadside, for example, is a visual distraction as well as a cognitive distraction. Eating while you drive is a manual distraction. Talking to passengers in the vehicle is a cognitive distraction. Texting while you drive is all three.

Even Short Distractions are Devastating

Some drivers falsely think that short distractions won’t make a difference. The fact of the matter is that a distraction as short as 5 seconds can cause a crash. If a vehicle is moving at 55 miles per hour, it will travel the length of a football field in 5 seconds. Coincidentally, that’s the amount of time it takes to read or reply to a text message.

Drivers should always be on the lookout for signs of a driver who might be distracted. If you notice a vehicle driving erratically, swerving between lanes, or driving in an otherwise unsafe manner, try to stay away from it. This might help to keep you safe, but there’s still a chance the driver will strike you.

Hire a Lawyer

Anyone who has been injured in a distracted driving crash should contact a car accident lawyer right away. This attorney can help you to learn the strengths and weaknesses of your case. They can help you to put the case together and get it filed in court prior to the expiration of the statute of limitations. Taking action swiftly and keeping records of how the event caused you financial damages can help to shore up your claim.