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It’s easy to get distracted, whether at a job, home or even on the road. However, drivers who become distracted can cause accidents that have life-altering implications. If you suspect a driver is distracted, there are defensive measures you can take to keep yourself as protected as possible.
Unfortunately, you can’t prevent being involved in some accidents. If you were injured due to another driver’s negligence, contact The Roth Firm, LLC at (404) 777-4899.
Types of Distracted Driving
Drivers can become distracted in one or multiple ways.
Cognitive Distraction
This refers to someone becoming mentally distracted. A driver could be daydreaming or having their mind on something else instead of focusing on the road and other drivers. Even if a driver is physically looking at the road, it does not mean they are always paying attention.
Another example is if a driver is usually a hands-free device to text or talk. In this scenario, they are taking their mental focus away from driving, which could lead to severe consequences.
Manual Distraction
A manual distraction is when a driver is physically doing something that impairs them from paying attention to driving. This could include texting while driving, a driver fixing their face or hair by looking at their visor’s mirror, or reaching in the back seat to get an item. Usually, manual distractions and cognitive distractions happen at the same time.
Visual Distraction
This is when a driver physically takes their eyes off the road ahead of them. Examples of this include a driver looking at a nearby car accident, at a GPS or car dashboard for driving instructions, or at a passenger. Visual distractions can also be paired up with manual distractions and cognitive distractions. For example, if a driver is looking, yelling, and pointing their finger at a driver of a different vehicle, then all three types of distractions would be in effect.
Warning Signs of Distracted Driving
Some signs of distracted driving are more obvious than others.
Eating and Drinking in the Vehicle
If you quickly gaze over and notice that a neighboring driver is eating or drinking in their vehicle, that driver is more likely to be distracted. Drivers who eat or drink behind the wheel can be distracted cognitively, manually, and visually.
Inconsistent Driving
Other signs of distracted driving are when a nearby driver consistently changes lanes, swaps in-between lanes, or does not maintain a consistent speed. Drivers who are not focused on the speed limit or do not keep both hands on the steering wheel are more likely to drive inconsistently.
Another sign of inconsistent driving is erratic braking. If a driver is distracted, they may be hitting the brakes far too often or not quickly enough.
Physical Appearance
The best position to drive with is to sit in an upright position and look forward at all times. Unfortunately, though, if a driver is tired then they could be hunched over the wheel which is extremely dangerous. Additionally, if a driver bends down to pick something off their floorboard, they could miss a sudden stop from the vehicle in front of them or another driver coming into their lane.
If you suspect a driver is distracted, the best defense you can take is to move away from that vehicle as much as possible. If you feel the driver is being extremely dangerous or notice that they have been driving distracted for several miles, you could call law enforcement.
Injuries From a Distracted Driver
Distracted driving crashes can cause a slew of injuries from minor bumps or bruises to death. You have every right to seek compensation if you were injured by a distracted driver and the team at The Roth Firm, LLC is ready to help you. Our dedicated personal injury attorneys have recovered billions of dollars for our past clients.
When experience matters, let the attorneys at The Roth Firm, LLC fight for you. Reach us day or night — online or by phone. (404) 777-4899
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