7 Types of Distracted Driving That Can Lead to Dangerous Car Accidents

 Posted on April 14, 2022 in Car Accidents

While there are many reasons that car accidents occur, driver negligence is often to blame for a collision. There are many different forms of negligence, including violations of traffic laws, aggressive driving, or failure to keep a vehicle properly maintained. However, distracted driving is one of the most prevalent issues that affects safety on roads throughout Illinois and the United States. Drivers who fail to fully pay attention to the road put everyone around them at risk. When drivers cause harm to others because of this type of negligence, victims who suffer injuries or other damages will want to determine their options for pursuing financial compensation.

Common Distractions That Affect Drivers

Distracted driving can take many forms, and it may include any actions that cause a person to look away from the road, take their hands off the steering wheel, or divert their attention away from operating their vehicle safely. Some of the most common types of distracted driving include:

• Texting while driving - Many people find it difficult to put down phones and electronic devices and refrain from using them while they are behind the wheel. The desire to stay connected and in contact with others can lead people to read and respond to text messages when they should be paying attention to the road. This can be very dangerous, since using a smartphone will make a person much more likely to miss important details and become involved in collisions.

• Making phone calls - Traffic laws in Illinois and other states prohibit making phone calls with a handheld device while a person is driving. However, even if a person is using a hands-free device to make calls, this may cause them to be distracted. Focusing on a phone conversation will make it more difficult for a person to fully pay attention to the road and the vehicles around them.

• Eating and drinking - Attempting to hold food or beverages with one hand while driving will make it more difficult for a person to remain in control of their vehicle. When eating and drinking, spills can occur that may further divert a person’s attention from driving.

• Grooming - A driver who looks in the mirror to adjust their hair or makeup will be more likely to fail to notice what is happening on the road around them, potentially leading to dangerous accidents.

• Adjusting controls - Drivers may take their hands off the wheel to perform a variety of activities, such as changing stations on a car’s radio, adjusting heat or air conditioning, changing the position of a seat, or looking up directions on a smartphone or GPS navigation system. 

• Responding to passengers - Drivers can easily become distracted when carrying on conversations with other people in their vehicle. Child passengers can also cause drivers to take unsafe actions, such as turning around to adjust a child’s seat belt.

• Daydreaming - When a person drives on familiar routes, such as during their commute to and from work, they can easily let their mind wander. This can be very dangerous, and a person may fail to notice the movements of other vehicles, changing traffic signals, or pedestrians who are crossing the road. 

Contact Our Chicago South Side Distracted Driving Accident Attorney

Distracted drivers who cause accidents should be held responsible for the harm they cause to others. If you have been injured in an accident that you believe was caused by a distracted driver, Kadzai Law Group, LLC can help you determine your best options for receiving financial compensation that will fully address your injuries and damages. Contact our Hyde Park car accident lawyer today at 312-229-0050 to schedule a complimentary consultation.

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/distracted_driving/index.html

https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving

https://www.enddd.org/the-facts-about-distracted-driving/