How To Get Help After a Car Accident Caused by Distracted Driving

If you look at the most common reasons for increasing auto accidents, you will find that a majority of them could have been avoided had the driver been a little more alert. Despite advanced safety features in vehicles and strict laws, the number of car accidents continues to rise.

It is not shocking to discover that distracted driving is the primary cause of road accidents. It is sad that drivers give in to distractions and cause catastrophic injury to themselves and others.

Know more about distracted driving

Distracted driving is referred to those activities that prevent drivers from focusing on the road and concentrate on driving. It could be anything, ranging from cell phone usage, texting or calling, paying more attention to the entertainment system, eating or drinking or both.

According to NHTSA or National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in the year 2015, distracted driving caused 3,477 deaths in the US and around 391,000 injuries.  The injuries texting or checking your phone even for a second can be fatal. While driving, your complete attention should be on the road and even a split second of distraction can potentially turn life upside down both for you and the people on the road.

In today’s social media and selfie-obsessed generation, there is one more reason for drivers to be distracted. And taking your eyes off the road can turn devastating.

Who knew children could distract?

It is a daily routine for most parents in the US to ferry their children or go shopping with them in the backseat.  You may think that's no cause for concern, but wait till you read this. The Monash University of Australia conducted a study in 2013 and found that children are 12 times more likely to distract a parent who is driving than a cell phone.

They studied 12 families for three weeks and concluded that the driving habits of parents with children in the car caused a lot of distractions such as checking the child in the back seat and taking eyes off the road, trying to solve their dispute, listening to them talking, worrying about their safety and so on.  The study found that on an average, the parents were not driving carefully for at least 20% of their drive time.

Parents may ignore a call or a message while driving but what about screaming infants? Distractions caused by children included arguments and fights, children demanding snacks, toys and other things, children dropping things and wanting the parents to pick them up, getting sick, throwing things into the front seat etc. They may try to reach for them or talk to them and that is enough time for an accident to occur.

Tips to prevent kids-causing distracted driving

If you asked 100 marketers what a successful branding strategy is, you’d probably get 100 different definitions. Brand strategy components are complex with many variables. In much the same way, so is personal injury law.The injuries that distracted driving causes are covered under personal injuries and the victims of such accidents can seek claim and compensation from the defaulter, with the help of an auto accident attorney.

Meanwhile, if you are a parent who has to drive their kids around, then here are few tips to ensure that you drive safely.

Keep your children occupied: Think of activities for children on the journey. You can keep them engaged with books, games, music CDs, etc., that will ensure that the children do not disturb you while you are driving.

Take breaks: If your child is screaming or throwing tantrums, instead of disciplining them while driving, take a break and pull over at a safe place. Comfort them and then continue.  Avoiding the children can also lead to more aggression and thereby more stress for you, which can also cause a distraction.

Secure tightly: Some experts are of the opinion that securing your child well on the seat can prevent movements that need your attention. If she needs you, you can pull over safely and then attend to your child. This is a safer option.

Have company if possible: The best option would be to have another adult travel with the kids while you are driving. This means you get to concentrate on the road and the person can manage your child and help you drive stress-free.

Since distracted driving is increasingly becoming common, an auto accident lawyer often is faced with many such cases in a single month. That shows how serious the issue is. Thus it is best to take precautions when you are driving with kids and follow safety rules.

Alvin de Levie can help you if you are involved in an auto accident injury. For any personal injury-related queries give us a call for a free consultation at 844-777-2529.