What Are the Dangers of Distracted Driving?

July 10, 2023

Distracted driving is a major issue on Oklahoma roads and highways, and distracted drivers cause many motor vehicle crashes each year. Although cell phone use is one of the most common factors that lead to distracted driving accidents, any activity that takes a driver’s eyes off the road or causes them to not pay attention to driving safely is a driver distraction that must be avoided.

Unfortunately, despite laws against distracted driving, many motorists still engage in activities that take their attention away from the task at hand. The traffic accidents they cause can result in serious injuries to others, and sometimes, distracted drivers cause fatal car crashes.

If you suffered severe injuries or lost a loved one in a distracted driving accident someone else caused, you should contact an experienced car accident attorney right away for advice regarding your rights and options to pursue compensation.

Distracted Driving Statistics

Distracted driving is more common and more dangerous than you probably think. Just take a look at some of these statistics on distracted driving from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office (OHSO):

In a recent year, 3,522 people died in distracted driving accidents across the U.S.
More than 1,200 drivers were involved in distracted driving accidents in Oklahoma that same year
Around 1/3 of those distracted drivers were between the ages of 16 and 24
The number of pedestrian accidents caused by distracted driving increased significantly from previous years.

No matter the cause of driver distraction, all it takes is a few seconds to crash your vehicle and injure yourself or others. Here’s a startling fact: sending or reading a text for five seconds while driving at 55 mph is like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed! Additionally, a recent distracted driving poll conducted by The Zebra showed that:

5% of respondents admitted to eating while driving
36% of respondents admitted to using their cell phones while driving
6% of respondents admitted to texting while driving
12% of respondents felt pressure to answer texts while driving

No one can deny that distracted driving, especially texting while driving, is a serious problem across the country. At Aizenman Law Group, we want you to stay informed about this issue and know how you can do your part in helping make our roads safer for everyone.

The Three Types of Distracted Driving

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) identifies three main types of driving distractions:

Visual Distractions. Anything that takes your eyes off of the road.
Manual Distractions. Anything that takes your hands off of the wheel.
Cognitive Distractions. Anything that takes your mind off of driving.

Texting and driving, for instance, is considered one of the most deadly driving distractions because it requires you to read your phone (visual distraction), use your hands to type and hold the phone (manual distraction), and use your brain to write out or read a message (cognitive distraction).

Other types of specific driving distractions include:

Eating or drinking
Talking to passengers
Talking on the phone or using other electronic devices
Changing the radio
Using Bluetooth
Using navigation devices
Daydreaming
Grooming/applying makeup
Adjusting mirrors

How Drivers Can Eliminate Driving Distractions

Driving distracted places everyone on the road at unnecessary risk. The good news is that there are plenty of effective ways that drivers can eliminate driving distractions so their full attention is on the road:

Adjust mirrors before getting on the road
Use cell phones for emergencies only
Put cell phones away so the driver can’t see it light up and be tempted to look at texts
Avoid eating while driving, if possible, or pack easy-to-go snacks
Limit the number of passengers in their vehicle

Drivers should exercise safe driving measures when they’re behind the wheel and take steps to reduce the distractions they face on the road. If a driver causes a motor vehicle accident while driving distracted, victims can hold them liable with the help of an attorney and can pursue the compensation they need for the injuries and damages the distracted driver caused.

Distracted Driving Dangers

Distracted driving is a serious problem that poses numerous dangers to both the driver and others on the road. Here are some of the main risks associated with distracted driving:

Increased risk of accidents: When drivers are distracted, their attention is diverted away from the road, increasing the likelihood of accidents. Taking your eyes off the road, even for a few seconds, significantly reduces your ability to react to potential hazards.
Impaired judgment and slower reaction time: Engaging in distracting activities while driving, such as texting or talking on the phone, can impair your judgment and slow down your reaction time. This makes it more difficult to make split-second decisions that are often necessary to avoid collisions.
Decreased situational awareness: When drivers are distracted, they become less aware of their surroundings. This can prevent them from noticing important cues on the road, such as traffic signals, pedestrians, or changing road conditions, leading to accidents.

Consequences for Pedestrians and Cyclists

Distracted driving not only puts drivers at risk but also endangers pedestrians and cyclists who share the road. A distracted driver may fail to notice pedestrians crossing the street or cyclists in their vicinity, leading to severe or even fatal accidents.

Legal and Financial Consequences

Many states have implemented laws and regulations against distracted driving, and violators can face fines, license suspensions, and even criminal charges in some cases. Additionally, the financial consequences of accidents caused by distracted driving, such as medical expenses, property damage, and increased insurance premiums, can be significant.

To ensure the safety of yourself and others on the road, it is crucial to prioritize attention and focus while driving, avoiding all distractions and keeping your eyes on the road at all times.

What Types of Injuries Do Distracted Driving Accidents Cause

Distracted driving accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, varying in severity depending on the specific circumstances of the accident. Some common types of injuries associated with distracted driving accidents include:

Whiplash: Whiplash is a common injury in rear-end collisions, which can occur when the head and neck are forcefully and abruptly jerked forward and backward. It can lead to neck pain, stiffness, headaches, and restricted movement.
Soft tissue injuries: Distracted driving accidents can cause various soft tissue injuries, such as sprains, strains, and bruises. These injuries can affect muscles, tendons, and ligaments, resulting in pain, swelling, and limited mobility.
Fractures and broken bones: The impact of a distracted driving accident can cause fractures and broken bones in different parts of the body. Common fractures include broken ribs, arms, legs, wrists, and collarbones.
Head injuries: In more severe accidents, drivers and passengers may sustain head injuries, ranging from concussions to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). These injuries can have long-lasting effects on cognitive function, memory, coordination, and overall brain health.
Spinal cord injuries: High-impact accidents can cause spinal cord injuries, resulting in paralysis or partial loss of sensation and motor function. Spinal cord injuries can have life-altering consequences, requiring extensive medical care, rehabilitation, and lifestyle adjustments.
Internal injuries: The force of a distracted driving accident can cause internal injuries to organs such as the liver, spleen, kidneys, or lungs. These injuries may not be immediately apparent, but they can be life-threatening if left untreated.
Facial injuries: Drivers and passengers may sustain facial injuries, including lacerations, contusions, fractures, and dental damage. These injuries may require surgical intervention and can result in long-term scarring or disfigurement.
Psychological trauma: Distracted driving accidents can also cause psychological trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, or phobias. The emotional impact of the accident can have long-lasting effects on a person’s mental well-being.

No matter how serious your injuries appear at the accident scene, you should get medical attention right away. Some injuries may not present symptoms immediately, and a full medical evaluation can help rule out any internal injuries you may have. Plus, you will need documentation that you sustained injuries in the accident and received treatment to file an injury claim with the insurance company.

What Types of Damages Can I Recover from a Distracted Driving Claim?

The types of damages you can potentially recover from a distracted driving claim may vary depending on the specific laws and regulations in your jurisdiction. However, in general, the following are common types of damages you may pursue in a distracted driving claim:

Medical expenses: If you sustained injuries as a result of a distracted driving accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills and treatment expenses. This can include hospital bills, doctor’s visits, surgeries, medication costs, rehabilitation expenses, and any other healthcare-related costs associated with your injuries. It can also include future medical costs you may incur as a result of your injury.
Property damage: If the distracted driving accident damaged or destroyed your vehicle, you can seek reimbursement for the repair or replacement costs. This typically covers the cost of repairing your vehicle or, if it is deemed a total loss, the fair market value of the vehicle.
Lost wages and income: If your injuries from the accident have caused you to miss work and lose income, you may be able to recover compensation for your lost wages. This can include both past and future lost earnings, depending on the extent and duration of your injuries.
Pain and suffering: In some cases, you may be entitled to damages for physical pain and emotional suffering resulting from the accident. These damages are more subjective and can be more challenging to quantify, but they aim to compensate you for the physical discomfort, mental anguish, and diminished quality of life caused by the accident and your injuries.
Emotional distress: The emotional aftermath of an accident can be just as severe as the physical injuries you suffered. If the accident has resulted in significant emotional trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or depression, you may be able to seek compensation for emotional distress.
Loss of consortium: In cases where a distracted driving accident has resulted in the loss of companionship, support, or intimacy with a spouse or family member, the affected individual may be able to pursue damages for loss of consortium.

In certain rare cases, the court may award punitive damages if it finds the defendant acted with extreme negligence or willful misconduct.

It’s important to note that the specific damages you can recover may be subject to limitations and restrictions imposed by your local laws and the circumstances of your case. Consulting with a personal injury attorney who specializes in car accidents and personal injury claims will provide you with the most accurate information regarding the potential damages you may be entitled to pursue.

How Do I Pursue Compensation for My Injuries?

After receiving medical treatment for your injuries, you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney who has experience handling distracted driving cases. An attorney will review your claim at no cost and advise you of your legal rights and options for pursuing compensation.

Since insurance covers most motor vehicle crashes, your attorney will first file an injury claim with the at-fault driver’s insurer. The insurance company will schedule an adjuster to investigate the accident and determine whether they will accept your claim and how much they will offer.

Insurance adjusters are not concerned with your best interests, and they often offer a lowball settlement in the hopes you will accept the money and move on. You should never accept the initial settlement offer and have your attorney negotiate to get the maximum recovery possible.

If the insurance company will not offer fair compensation, or if they unjustly deny your valid claim, your attorney may take them to court and sue for the money you need.

Keep in mind that Oklahoma allows you only two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit in civil court, so you need to contact an attorney as soon as possible to get started on your claim.

Contact an Experienced Tulsa Car Accident Lawyer Today

The experienced attorneys at Aizenman Law Group are dedicated to helping prevent distracted driving accidents while ensuring that those who are injured in these events have the compensation they need to get back on their feet.

We work on a contingency fee basis, so you won’t have to pay us anything upfront to represent you, and we will only accept a fee if we recover compensation for you.

Get the justice you deserve by calling 631-769-8431 as soon as you can to request a free consultation.

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