Distracted and Dangerous: Why Distracted Driving in New York is a Major Concern

    Consider these possible scenarios. You are driving down the road when you get suddenly rocked by a crash from behind. You turn around and see that another vehicle has hit you with so much force that the back of your car looks like a crumpled soda can.

    Thankfully, your airbag is deployed, but this does not stop you or your passengers from getting injured. Now, imagine if the car that hit you was speeding along, completely unaware that you are on the road. The injuries to you and anyone in your car could be severe and even fatal.

    Being involved in a car accident is always bad. But when the accident is not your fault, and you or your passengers are the ones who get hurt, the aftermath of a car accident can be devastating.

    If another driver causes an accident because they were not paying attention to the road, there might be a reason to believe that they are guilty of distracted driving. This, in turn, might entitle you to certain legal remedies such as seeking monetary compensation under New York personal injury laws. Hiring our car accident lawyers in New York who have experience handling distracted driving can help you obtain the maximum damages allowed by law.

    What is Distracted Driving?

    Distracted driving occurs when a person drives while engaging in an activity that diverts attention from driving itself. One example is calling or texting with a phone while driving.

    But it could also include other similar attention-grabbing activities such as eating and drinking or operating your car’s entertainment and navigation systems. Driving while tired or on drugs can increase the risk of driving while distracted.

    Anything that takes away or minimizes one’s attention from driving safely can result in distracted driving.

    There are Three Types of Driving Distractions: Visual, Cognitive, and Manual

    Distracted driving can be categorized based on the type of distraction involved:

    • Visual: a distraction that diverts your eyes from the road.
    • Manual: a distraction that keeps your hands off the wheel.
    • Cognitive: a distraction that takes your mind off from driving.

    To illustrate, a driver is visually distracted when he pays too much attention to his car’s navigation screen.

    Eating or drinking while driving, on the other hand, are examples of manual distractions because they entail taking at least one hand off the wheel.

    A cognitive distraction occurs when a driver talks to a passenger in the car and loses track of the road.

    Texting while driving is exceptionally dangerous. Why? Because it involves all three types of distraction—visual, manual, and cognitive. Not only does texting take your eyes and mind off the road, but it also keeps your hands from properly controlling the steering wheel.

    Dangers of Distracted Driving: Injury, Death, and Damage to Property

    By now, it should be obvious why distracted driving is extremely unsafe. It puts the life of the driver in danger and those of other innocent drivers and pedestrians.

    Car accidents resulting from distracted driving almost always result in vehicular damage. Other property damage might also be involved when a distracted driver crashes into a private home or business.

    There are also unfortunate cases where distracted driving accidents lead to serious and permanent bodily injury. Distracted driving accidents often have tragic and fatal consequences.

    Distracted Driving Accidents Occur Frequently in New York and Across the Nation

    Statistics show that accidents like these are not uncommon. In a 2015 study, the Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research (ITSMR) found that “driver inattention/distraction” in New York was a contributing factor to the death of 160 people. Around 33,000 injuries were also attributable to car accidents caused by distracted drivers. Moreover, distracted driving accounted for about 21% to 22% of all police-reported car crashes in that same year.

    More recent studies have also indicated that distracted driving continues to be a national concern. A 2018 study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) showed that distracted driving killed 2,841 people and injured an additional 400,000 people in numerous motor vehicle accidents. The study also noted that distracted drivers killed 506 “non-occupants” comprising of pedestrians, pedal-cyclists, and the like.

    Distracted Driving is Unfair to Careful Drivers

    Distracted driving is an infuriating problem, especially to drivers who are diligent and careful on the roads. Unfortunately, no matter how careful you are with your own driving, you might still find yourself involved in a car accident just because another driver decided to check his phone at an inopportune time.

    You don’t even need to be driving to become a potential victim of a distracted driver. You could be peacefully walking on a sidewalk and still be involved in a distracted driving accident.

    It might be difficult to avoid being in an accident with a distracted driver. But, if you suffer injuries because a driver was distracted, you might be able to pursue financial compensation for your injuries and other losses.

    Our Lawyers Help Victims of Distracted Driving Accidents File Lawsuits

    Distracted driving that leads to death, injury, and/or vehicular or property damage might entitle the victim to file a car accident lawsuit against the negligent driver. You might be able to collect compensation for financial, physical, and emotional damages you have suffered.

    If you don’t wish to file a lawsuit, our lawyers can help you obtain a fair, reasonable settlement from insurance companies. We are not afraid to demand the full value warranted by your injuries and make sure you do not settle for less than you deserve.

    Our New York Car Accident Lawyers Can Help You After a Distracted Driving Accident. Call us Today.

    Whether you want to receive a fair settlement or take your case to litigation, we can help you. Our lawyers have the skill and experience you want on your side, working on your behalf to seek all legal remedies to which you are entitled.

    If you think that you or a loved one has been a victim of distracted driving, our car accident lawyers at Levine and Wiss, PLLC, can help. We can guide you through the legal process associated with personal injury claims. Call us today at 888-GOT-HURT for a free consultation and evaluation of your case.

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