On Behalf of Palacios Law Group
When you get in the car, there are many distractions that can keep you from focusing on driving and operating a vehicle safely. These distractions can increase your chance of getting into or causing an accident with another driver.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the U.S. every day, nine people die in car accidents related to distracted driving. Although many assume that texting and driving is the main form of driver distraction, any type of cognitive, visual and manual distraction can make a collision more likely.
Cognitive distraction
Cognitive distraction occurs when you take your mind off of driving and no longer make it your main focus. For example, you become cognitively distracted if you focus intently on a conversation or podcast while driving and stop paying full attention to what is happening on the road.
Visual distraction
If you remove your eyes from the road while your vehicle is in motion, you are visually distracted. If, for example, you look down at your phone, look over at the radio to switch the station or look at a GPS device to get directions, you are visually distracted.
Manual distraction
Any time you take your hands off the steering wheel while driving, you become manually distracted. Manual distraction happens, for instance, when you reach over for something while driving or pick up an object, like your phone.
If you got into a car accident with a distracted driver, you may sustain injuries that prevent you from living a normal life. Take steps to protect your interests and focus on making your recovery a priority.
