It is not uncommon to hear about automobile accidents caused by distracted driving in Oregon. Around the country, it is estimated that close to nine people die every day because of accidents related to distracted driving. These same types of accidents lead to around 100 injuries every day.
The distractions that drivers face are many. For example, driving in the car with another passenger can be a distraction. Having kids who are misbehaving in the backseat can pose a distraction. Fiddling with the radio, trying to eat fast food, applying makeup, rubbernecking, daydreaming, driving while tired and a whole host of other things can be distractions.
When most people think about driving while distracted, they think about driving while using their cellphone or some other piece of technology. According to a recent survey, about 50% of drivers said that they send text messages, check social media, check their phone for directions or read text messages while driving. Close to 60% of people in the same survey admitted to using their cellphone at least one time for something while they were driving.
The financial implications of driving while distracted are almost on par with the financial implications to society for individuals who drive while intoxicated. When a person is driving while distracted, their eyes are not on the road. Manual distractions mean that they don’t have their hands on the steering wheel. Although many people say that they are great multi-taskers, when a person is driving while distracted, they are not fully cognitively engaged in driving.
Auto accident victims may be understandably frustrated to learn that their accident was caused because the driver was distracted. These individuals may be interested in talking to a personal injury attorney. An attorney may be able to help their client get compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, funeral expenses and other costs resulting from an accident.
