Have you ever counted how long you can stay focused on a single thought? Obviously, we can hold more than one thought. We can listen to music and have a conversation on the phone, all the while making dinner. However, the more we divide our attention, the more likely there could be problems. The dinner can be burnt if we get too engrossed in a phone call, for example.
The idea of losing your focus and causing problems is especially true when driving. According to a study published by the National Library of Medicine, the average attention span for adults is 67.01 seconds, or just over a minute. Does that mean that every minute your focus shifts? Unfortunately, it only takes a fraction of a second to take your eyes off the road or your steering wheel. When that happens, you can lose control and get into a wreck.
When you’re driving on the road, you expect the other people around you to pay attention and drive safely. Sometimes, others fail to do this and cause accidents that result in injuries. You may not be able to return to work and have to deal with piling medical expenses. But you can seek help from a Jackson distracted driving accident lawyer from Pittman Roberts & Welsh, PLLC if a collision left you seriously hurt.
We’re here to help those who were wrongfully injured stand up to the responsible party and get the compensation they deserve. So, let’s meet for a free initial consultation to discuss your case.
Distracted Driving Facts and Statistics
Distracted driving causes high numbers of injuries and fatalities each year. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports the following facts surrounding this dangerous driving practice:
- Nine people in the United States are killed every day in crashes that are reported to involve a distracted driver.
- In the United States, over 3,100 people were killed, and about 424,000 were injured in crashes involving a distracted driver in 2019.
- About 1 in 5 of the people who died in crashes involving a distracted driver in 2019 were not in vehicles―they were walking, riding their bikes, or otherwise outside a vehicle.
Because distracted driving is affecting so many people, it’s important to learn about what it is, what it entails, and how it makes driving dangerous.
Breaking Down Distracted Driving
Many people may believe that they won’t make the mistakes that other distracted drivers do because they’re good at multitasking at home or on the job. However, this is a dangerous notion because this simply means they’ve put themselves in risky situations and haven’t gotten into an accident yet. Driving requires your attention, and anything that takes away from it increases your chance of causing a collision.
To get a better idea of how distractions affect your driving ability, consider the different types of distracting activities you can engage in:
- This applies to anything that takes your eyes off the road. When you’re not looking out the windshield for even a second, you could miss a car stopping in front of you, a car swerving in front of you, someone running into the road, or your own vehicle driving off the road.
- Taking one or both hands off the wheel reduces your control of the vehicle. You can’t drive steadily or avoid a dangerous situation when both hands aren’t on the wheel. Having one hand could mean overcorrecting, and having no hands leaves you with no control.
- You also need to be present and aware when you’re driving. Distractions that keep your mind occupied on something else can affect how you react to situations on the road.
The most common forms of distracted driving often involve one or more of these distractions. The Jackson distracted driving accident lawyers in our office often find that collisions are caused by:
- Cell Phone Use. Nearly everyone travels with a cell phone. People may try to make calls, text, or use social media while driving. Others may use it to play music in their car.
- Eating or Drinking. Trying to balance food in the car or drinking a beverage takes your concentration away from driving and focuses it all on eating or drinking. It’s best to wait until you reach your destination. If you’re on a long trip, stop and eat.
- Like eating and drinking, smoking also involves using your hands and shifting your focus off the road ahead.
- Using the Radio. Fiddling with the controls on your dashboard while driving puts you at risk of getting into a car wreck. Before driving, make sure the settings are where you want them.
- Applying Makeup/Flossing. Sometimes, in the morning rush, people elect to complete more of their routine while driving. But looking in the mirror instead of the road puts everyone around you in danger.
- Items drop on the car floor all the time. While it’s tempting to retrieve the item as soon as possible, it’s safer to wait until you park your car and then you can safely get the item.
- It can be easy to slip into a hypnotic state and think about other things while driving. In fact, as explained by the Cleveland Clinic, this condition is called highway hypnosis, and it can be a very dangerous form of “zoning out.” But you can stay focused by sitting up straight and taking breaks if you’re driving for a long time.
- Driving While Upset. If you’re angry or crying while driving, you’re not in a safe condition to drive. Pull over and wait until you regain composure.
- This is what happens when people slow down to gawk at their surroundings. It can be at an accident scene, a cop pulling someone over, or even a scenic view. They’re more intent on staring at the distraction than remaining focused on the road.
If a distracted driver caused your accident, you can get help from a Jackson distracted driving accident lawyer.
Seeking Damages After a Distracted Driving Accident in Mississippi
You deserve to have representation that will protect your rights. Our car accident lawyers are trained in looking at crash scenes.
We’ll investigate your case and gather evidence to show that your accident injuries were caused by a distracted driver. We’ll also use medical records as evidence of your injuries requiring treatment and preventing you from working and living your everyday life. Then, your distracted driving accident lawyer in Jackson will fight for you to get the compensation you need.
The damages that you’re entitled to seek from the at-fault driver’s insurance company include the following:
Economic Damages
You may be entitled to recover compensation for any accident-related losses you have receipts for, such as:
- ER visits
- Diagnostic tests
- Surgery
- Hospitalization
- Prescriptions
- Physical therapy
- Lost wages
- Future earnings
- Car repairs
- Car replacement
- Rental cars
Noneconomic Damages
You may also be eligible to receive compensation for less intangible costs that you can’t easily document with receipts, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
- Diminished quality of life
- Depression
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Punitive Damages
Injured distracted driving accident victims may also be entitled to seek punitive damages. Those are typically awarded in a lawsuit by a jury.
It would be an amount that serves as a punishment for the driver. Your Jackson distracted driving accident attorney can help you calculate those numbers with the goal of helping you achieve maximum compensation in your case.
Get Help from a Jackson Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer
When someone drives recklessly and injures you, the financial consequences shouldn’t fall solely on your shoulders. Pittman, Roberts & Welsh, PLLC will stand by your side and fight for your rights every step of the way.
With our help, you’ll get a fair settlement so you can move forward with your recovery. Get in touch with our law firm today for a free consultation with a Jackson distracted driving accident lawyer. It’s free.
