For years, there has been a concerted effort nationwide to curb distracted driving. But despite aggressive campaigns to deter motorists, about 1 in 4 crashes in the U.S. are caused by a distracted driver. More than eight people in the U.S. are killed in distracted driving accidents every day, according to the South Carolina Department of Insurance.
The advent of cell phones has been a blessing and a curse. It’s a convenience and even a safety tool if a breakdown or car accident occurs. However, safe driving requires your full attention. Texting, reading emails, and talking to others on the phone can turn deadly in an instant.
Unfortunately, many individuals share the mistaken belief that they can focus on the road and their phones simultaneously. Not so. As the National Safety Council (NSC) puts it, “multitasking is a myth.”
Why? Studies show the human brain cannot manage several activities at once. Instead, it simply switches focus from one activity to another in quick succession. In other words, your full concentration is not on the road if you’re using your cell phone while driving.
Another sad reality is that distracted driving accidents are likely underreported. Unless a driver admits to it or a witness observes it, law enforcement may have a hard time determining if it is a contributing factor in a wreck. However, if you pursue a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver, an attorney can subpoena cell phone records to provide evidence of distraction at the time of the wreck.
Were you injured in a distracted driving crash in South Carolina or North Carolina? Find out whether you have a case by contacting an experienced distracted driving lawyer at Stewart Law Offices. Call or contact us for a free consultation today.
What is Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving is any activity that takes a driver’s attention off the road. It can come in many forms. Beyond cell phone use, eating, drinking, grooming, talking to passengers, attending to children in the backseat, and adjusting the radio or GPS are all examples of distracted driving.
Distracted driving is a threat because it diverts attention in three ways:
- Visual: Texting, reading an email, or typing in a phone number can take the driver’s eyes off the road for at least five seconds. When driving at 55 miles per hour, that’s enough time to cover the length of a football field.
- Manual: Anything that takes a driver’s hands off the steering wheel is a manual distraction.
- Cognitive: Formulating a response to a text requires brainpower. A study from the NSC says that drivers have a tendency to “look but not see” when their brains are occupied elsewhere. Researchers found that drivers missed about 50 percent of information about their driving environment when talking on a cell phone, regardless of whether the device was handheld or hands-free.
Hurt by a Distracted Driver? Get Help Now
If you or a loved one was harmed in a distracted driving accident, you shouldn’t have to pay for medical bills and other financial burdens resulting from the wreck. Compensation is possible, and you should pursue it with the help of a tough and proven distracted driving lawyer.
Let Stewart Law Offices help. Our legal team has represented clients in South Carolina and North Carolina for 25 years. We have the knowledge, experience, and resources to handle complex cases like distracted driving crashes.
Call us or reach out to us online today for a free case review.
