The statistics about distracted driving are alarming. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the reckless behavior claimed 2,841 lives in 2018, including:
- 1,730 drivers
- 605 passengers
- 400 pedestrians
- 77 bicyclists
Safety advocates are becoming increasingly alarmed about a new distraction. Videoconferencing services, such as Zoom, have become popular during the coronavirus pandemic because they allow people to meet remotely instead of in person. Incredibly, drivers are participating in meetings while behind the wheel.
Sending or reading a text forces a driver to take their eyes off the road for five seconds. Someone who is driving 55 mph will travel the equivalent of an entire football field in that time. Imagine the lengthy distractions for a driver taking part in a video meeting.
Avoiding temptations and distractions
Many people are confident they have the skills to multi-task – to drive while engaging in other activities. They are wrong, of course. It hardly seems like a coincidence that cellphone use is up 38 percent during the pandemic at the same time that collisions per million are up 20 percent. Also, hard braking – when a driver looks up from a device to see traffic has stopped, for example – is up 25 percent.
The obvious key is not putting yourself in a position to accept a phone call, and certainly not an invitation to a video meeting, while driving. Experts suggest setting up your phone to automatically text anyone with a message that you are driving and will call back later. They also recommend setting up other devices, such as the navigation and entertainment systems, before you begin a trip.
When trouble finds you
No matter how safely you drive, you are always at the mercy of others. If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver, you have a fight on your hands. The other driver is not going to admit they were at fault. In fact, they probably will blame you for the crash. In the meantime, you may be dealing with serious injuries, unable to work and support your family, let alone pay your medical bills. An insurance company, knowing your desperation, will try to get you to accept a settlement that comes nowhere close to compensating you for your losses or future expenses.
The car accident lawyers at The Herrera Law Firm have been protecting the rights of injured drivers just like you since 1983. They will put their experience to work to secure justice and financial compensation for you. That way, you can focus on what is really important – healing and getting back on your feet. They have served thousands of clients in San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Laredo, and the Odessa-Midland or Harlingen-McAllen areas. Contact them today for a free consultation.
