Whether a person is a seasoned driver or has just obtained his or her driver’s license, the reality is that dangers and risks are faced by all motorists in Oregon and elsewhere. Although drivers are taught to follow the rules of the road and drive safely, many motorists fail to do so. This can occur in major ways, such as drunk driving, and in minor ways, such as glancing away from the road while one changes the radio or answers a phone call.
While there are many types of negligence and recklessness that can occur on the roadways, a concern that remains at the top of the list is distracted driving. This is owed to the growing reliance on technology, such as cell phones, navigation systems, and other infotainment systems. But still, many question why distracted driving poses such risks.
Based on a current study, the numbers reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has underestimated the number of accidents caused by distracted driving. The NHTSA has quoted roughly nine fatalities a day due to distracted driving. The reason why the number of accidents caused by distracted driving may be underreported is that many minor crashes go unreported and drivers may not volunteer information to the police that would suggest that an accident was caused by distracted driving.
The data in this study has been fairly consistent when it comes to the reason for distracted driving. While cellphones remain a major culprit, there are other causes, especially when it comes to motorists that drive for a living, like a truck driver. This includes doing paperwork in the cab of the truck, eating, drinking, and talking to others who are inside of the vehicle.
When car accidents occur, the cause isn’t always clear. Thus, it can be necessary to investigate the accident further. Legal professionals can help accident victims seek out the root cause of a wreck and pursue a personal injury lawsuit, if justified. This civil action could help hold a negligent driver accountable and assist with the recovery of compensation for damages suffered.
