Long Island Distracted Driving Accidents
Let Our Experienced Long Island Lawyers Help!
Most people know distracted driving is dangerous, however, it is quickly
becoming a major culprit for traffic accidents across the country. According
to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), it killed
3,477 people in 2015 alone.
While many of us associate the use of cell phones with distracted driving,
any activity that requires a driver’s attention is considered distracting.
If you are behind the wheel of a motor vehicle, you must always devote
your full attention to it. Failing to do so risks not only your own life
but the lives of your passengers or others on the road.
Common Causes of Distracted Driving
Distracted drivers are people operating a vehicle and participating in
anything that diverts attention away from the activity of driving and
can include a number of different things.
Most common causes of distracted driving include:
Grooming or applying makeup: Perhaps you did not have enough time to put the finishing touches on your
appearance and need just a few more things to look polished, but this
is not something you should be addressing while driving. However, too
many continue to comb their hair or apply lipstick while driving, taking
their hands off the wheel and eyes off the road. If you really want to
look your best, take those few extra minutes to do so while you are still at home.
Having conversations with passengers: It might feel rude to not converse with passengers riding with you, but
talking to passengers while you are driving is actually incredibly distracting.
You cannot have your full attention on driving while you are engaging
in a conversation and possibly taking glances at your passengers while
they speak. The polite thing to do is to not jeopardize anyone’s
safety and save conversations for later.
Not looking at the road: There are a number of reasons why drivers might divert their eyes from
the road, including landmarks or an accident on the side of the road.
It is important to remember that taking your eyes off the road, even for
a second, is extremely dangerous and can easily lead to an accident.
Dealing with children or pets: Attempting to handle children or pets while you are driving puts everyone
in the vehicle in danger. Never drive with a pet loose in your vehicle.
Instead, keep them in a pet carrier. Create a set of rules that your children
are to follow when riding in the vehicle and do not attempt to discipline
them while you are driving. If something absolutely must be addressed,
pull to a safe area and take care of it before you resume driving.
Zoning out: Sometimes the most distracting thing on the road is our own mind. Going
on autopilot, however, is dangerous and can keep you from noticing obstacles
on the road or from being aware of your surroundings, putting you at a
high risk of having an accident.
This list is just scratching the surface of the different types of distractions
drivers face day-in and day-out. Other types of distractions may include
eating and drinking, cellphone use, fiddling with the entertainment system,
setting the navigation system, playing games, and so on and so forth.
New York Laws
The state of New York passed mobile phone and portable electronic device
laws designed to save lives. It prohibits all people from using mobile
electronic devices. The only exception is when the driver uses a hands-free
device or uses a device attached to the vehicle. Likewise, people can
call in an emergency using 911 without being penalized under the law.
Dangers of Distracted Driving
Distraction can come in many forms. Personal distractions, those caused
by the driver, are the most obvious. However, there are also internal
distractions, caused by people, animals, or objects inside the car, and
external distractions. External distractions are the hardest to predict
and prevent because they include other motorists, inclement weather, terrible
road conditions, or even scenery.
According to an NHTSA report in 2006, driver distraction was the primary
contributing factor to
crashes and near crashes. Almost 80% of crashes and 65% of near crashes in the
study involved the driver looking away from the roadway just prior to
the collision.
Contact an Experienced Advocate Today
Distracted driving is an irresponsible activity, particularly if it could
have been prevented through consideration of other drivers. If you’ve
sustained injuries as the result of an automobile accident caused by a
distracted driver, you shouldn’t have to pay for medical costs or
any lost wages. Contact our experienced Long Island personal injury attorneys
at Gruenberg Kelly Della.
We are devoted to helping victims of injuries get just compensation for
their pain and suffering. We provide zealous and compassionate representation
from initial investigation and evidence compiling to final negotiations
or litigation in court. We also offer personal attention to every client
that we help. Our attorneys want you to feel like you are taken care of
by friends from start to finish. Let us do your case justice and fight
on your behalf. We look forward to hearing from you.
Get your case started by calling us or
filling out our online form today. We offer free case evaluations.