As you head out on California roads to tackle today’s objectives, you might give little thought to the potential hazards around you. Although you likely consider it vital to take steps to stay safe as you travel, you may also share the road with countless others, many of whom might have other priorities.
One way to help reduce the odds of a collision could include finding ways to spot a potential hazard in time to steer out of its path. Among the many threats you could encounter out on the open road, few can be as dangerous as a distracted driver, and even a moment of inattention can lead to catastrophe.
Distraction as a concern
You’ve probably seen signs of distraction before, like a driver sitting still at a green light or a vehicle frequently drifting in and out of the lanes of traffic. To better understand the dangers of driver distractions, you may find it helpful to break things down into three categories, which include:
- Distractions that are manual: Any action that forces you to take one or both hands off the wheel can prove hazardous as such actions inherently reduce your ability to handle a variety of driving scenarios.
- Distractions that are visual: Taking your eyes off the road even for a moment can prove disastrous, and actions that prompt visual distraction include reading a text or looking for an item in the passenger seat.
- Distractions of the mind: Focus plays an integral role in safely operating a vehicle, and anything that takes your mind off the task at hand, such as a phone conversation or simply being lost in thought, could prove disastrous.
Unfortunately, knowing how to spot a distracted driver might not always be enough. Should the actions of a driver who exhibits such negligence cause a serious collision to take place, you could be the one left suffering the consequences.
When disaster strikes
Suffering serious harm in a collision can be a scary and stressful experience, and the extensive medical bills and long road to recovery you may face likely does little to help matters. If another driver is at fault in the crash, you could choose to consult with someone with experience in such matters for advice on your available legal avenues. In doing so, you could gain much-needed insight on how to prepare to pursue the full amount of restitution you deserve through a personal injury claim.