Distracted driving is a common cause of motor vehicle accidents in New York. While many people might think that cell phones are the leading cause of distracted driving crashes, this is not the case. In one study, a motorist was more likely to cause a crash while grooming, eating, or drinking while their car was in motion.
Anything that takes your focus off the road is a distraction
Anything that makes it harder to focus on road conditions is a distraction. For example, if you’re thinking about work while driving to the office, you can be classified as a distracted motorist. Talking to passengers, looking down to pick up an object on the floor, or changing the radio station are other common distractions that you’ll likely experience as a motorist.
It’s important to note that many motor vehicle accidents occur on roads less than a few miles from a person’s house. Therefore, you need to remain vigilant regardless of how far you’re traveling.
Take care of extra activities before you start driving
If possible, you should program your navigation device, find a radio station, and set the cabin temperature before leaving for work or school. Furthermore, you should eat breakfast or drink your coffee at home as opposed to while traveling on the highway. Alternatively, do so while in a parking lot to ensure that you don’t focus more on your meal or drink than on others sharing the road with you.
If you’re hurt in a car crash caused by a distracted driver, you may experience serious back, neck, or head injuries. However, it may be possible to obtain a financial award to pay the cost of treating those injuries in a timely and adequate manner.