Key Takeaways
Inattentive driving consequences:
- Fatalities: Approximately 3,000 people die annually due to distracted driving, making up about 8-9% of fatal motor vehicle accidents in the US.
- Property Damage: Inattentive driving causes significant property damage, often not fully covered by insurance.
- Mobile Phone Use: Cell phone use is a major factor in distracted driving incidents, despite attempts to limit these distractions.
- Prevention: Avoiding cell phone use and maintaining focus can help prevent inattentive driving incidents.
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Inattentive driving plagues modern commuters. Cell phones, kids in the backseat, and general distractions and stress impact the safety of roadways worldwide today. About 3,000 people die each year due to distracted driving. This comprises about 8-9% of the fatal motor vehicle accidents that happen each year in the US.
Not every car crash caused by a lack of focus on the road leads to death. However, many people are unaware of many other consequences related to inattentive driving incidents. If you have been injured in a crash that happened due to someone who was texting or fighting with their kids in the backseat, you know just how much these kinds of accidents can impact your life.
Working with a skilled and caring legal team can have a big impact on your ability to get your life back on track after a car accident.
If you have been harmed by an inattentive driver, contact the team at Kilpatrick Bullentini Law today. We are the best Carson City auto accident attorney group and can help you get the compensation you deserve after a car accident.
The Consequences of Inattentive Driving Incidents
Many people who cause a car accident related to inattentive driving will argue that they didn’t think they looked away from the road for that long. The reality is that any moment when your eyes are not focused on the road opens up the opportunity for a car crash.
Younger drivers are particularly likely to cause these kinds of accidents despite significant driver training outreach to make them aware of the consequences of their actions behind the wheel.
Driving distracted not only accounts for many deaths each year in the US, but it also accounts for thousands of dollars of property damage. Many people never consider the cost of driving through someone’s yard or damaging the side of a building or a residence if they get into an accident.
While your car insurance will cover a portion of the damage that you have caused through reckless driving, most insurance companies will not cover 100% of these damages.
When you look at the hidden consequences of inattentive driving incidents, unexpected costs associated with these accidents are at the top.
Mobile phone use is one of the main reasons drivers get into accidents. Cars with integrated phone systems attempt to limit distractions while on the road in many ways, but drivers are able to circumvent most of these limitations.
Cell phone use tickets and high fines for those caught on camera driving with their phone in plain sight have done little to discourage cell phone use while on the road.
Drivers need to know they are not as good at multitasking as they believe. If they divide their attention between the road and any other process, they are significantly more likely to get into an accident.
Ways to Prevent Inattentive Driving Incidents
One of the best ways to prevent these accidents is to avoid using your cell phone while you are in the car. Even if your phone is plugged into your car’s navigation and integrated systems, you should consider placing it where you cannot readily access it to look at the screen.
If you get a phone call, make sure to pull over to the side of the road to take it. Many people who use integrated phone systems believe that they are not distracted by talking to someone else as they drive. Studies show that you don’t have to be holding the phone in your hand to be distracted while driving.
Make sure that you are not arguing with anyone while you are driving and that you never turn to look behind at passengers in the car. Even a few seconds spent looking in the backseat is long enough for an accident. Always remember that there is a delay between your brain’s response to things like the slowing of traffic and your foot pressing on the brake. The average reaction time for drivers is around three-quarters of a second. That is enough time to cause an accident, even without distraction.
Remember that being overly confident in your driving ability is not productive. Believing that you are too good of a driver to get into an accident can lead to improper driving practices and a lack of attention while on the road.
Driving has many risks, even if you are paying attention to the road. Ensure that you are not adding inattentive driving to the array of risks that you expose yourself to each time you get behind the wheel.
Inattentive Driving Comes Along With Significant Consequences
Inattentive driving incidents can be linked with a significant number of traffic accidents each year in the US alone. Always remember that driving is inherently dangerous and that your inattention could lead to the death of someone else on the road with you or your demise.
If you have been injured in a car accident caused by an inattentive driver, reach out to the team at Kilpatrick Bullentini today. For a good reason, we are the leading auto accident lawyer in Carson City. We can help you seek the compensation that you deserve after your accident.
