Understanding the Risks of Distracted Driving

We all know that drunk driving is dangerous. And we also know that it would be dangerous for someone to drive if they’re legally blind or have their eyes covered so they can’t see the road ahead. Yet many people in Tallahassee do not fully appreciate that it is just as dangerous to allow distractions to take their eyes and minds away from the task of driving. 

Any Tallahassee car accident lawyer can tell you that distracted driving often causes car accidents with serious injuries. Drivers need to understand the risks and know how to prevent problems when they drive and beware of the dangers posed by other distracted drivers.  

What is Considered Distracted Driving?

When any activity takes a driver’s attention away from the job of driving the vehicle, the situation is considered distracted driving. Distractions may be physical or mental. Drivers need to be wary of physical distractions that take their eyes away from the road as well as those that take their hands away from the steering wheel. 

Distractions that involve more than one factor are particularly dangerous. Some distractions that a Tallahassee car accident lawyer sees as the cause of car or truck accidents include: 

• Eating and drinking
• Changing music on a handheld device
• Texting
• Changing GPS settings
• Talking to others (inside the vehicle or over the phone)
• Reaching for objects

To drive safely, a driver should focus full attention on the job at hand. Engaging in any non-driving activity increases the risk of a collision. 

Our Tallahassee Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer Knows Texting is a Particularly Dangerous Activity for Drivers

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, texting is the “most alarming distraction” for drivers. This activity removes a driver’s thoughts, hands, and eyes from the road for approximately five seconds at a time. The administration notes that is the equivalent of driving an entire football field without opening your eyes. 

That kind of distraction results in accidents in Tallahassee all too often. When a driver who was texting causes a collision, it can be that much easier for a Tallahassee distracted driving lawyer to demonstrate liability and hold the driver responsible for injuries and damage stemming from the crash. 

Lawmakers realize the dangers as well. Fla. Stat. §316.305 prohibits drivers from operating a motor vehicle while entering information into a wireless communications device or reading information on a device for texting or sending emails or other messages. If a driver is found guilty of violating this statute, that violation can be used to help hold the driver accountable in a civil case.

Talk to Searcy Denney if Distracted Driving May Have Caused Your Collision

If it is possible that a driver’s distractions played a role in causing a collision, it is a good idea to talk to an experienced Tallahassee car accident lawyer as soon as possible. A knowledgeable attorney could investigate to seek evidence of causation and show why that driver should be required to pay compensation for pain and suffering, medical expenses, future needs, and other effects of the accident.  For a free, no-obligation consultation with a dedicated distracted driving accident attorney at Searcy Denney, contact us now.