While even the idea of being in a motor vehicle accident can be a harrowing notion, such an incident can occur at virtually any moment. Even if you choose to promote safety by practicing defensive driving, you can only control so much of what happens on the open road and on some level, your safety may rest in the hands of others nearby.
There are numerous types of dangerous driving behaviors that may increase the chances a serious or fatal accident may occur. Distracted driving is a type of negligent behavior that could place your safety and well-being in jeopardy, and sources of inattention among drivers can take on various forms and fashions.
Prevalent examples
While it may be no secret that distracted driving remains a contributing factor in many collisions, some might not be fully aware of why such behavior can be so hazardous. Some sources of inattention and the risks involved could include:
- Hands off the wheel: Any action that forces drivers to take even one hand off the wheel can disrupt response times substantially. Reaching for items inside a vehicle and holding a cell phone are two examples of manual distractions.
- Eyes off the road: Looking down to change the radio or looking over to read a roadside sign are types of distractions that may force you to take your eyes off the road. Even if this only lasts a second, the results could prove dire.
- Cognitive distractions: Phone conversations are just one example of something that could take up a significant portion of your attention, and losing focus while behind the wheel could diminish your awareness.
- Dangerous combinations: Texting while driving is a prevalent example of an act that may prove a manual, visual, and cognitive distraction. Combining these categories could prove exceedingly hazardous.
Drivers who are simply lost in thought may also have little awareness of what is happening around them, and such a lack of focus could also leave one at greater risk of creating a hazardous situation.
When a collision occurs
It could take little more than a moment of inattention for another driver to cause a serious collision to occur. If you encounter such negligence, there might be little you can do to react in time to evade an impending danger, and the outcome of an ensuing crash could pose a significant threat to your safety. When the actions of another driver leave you with severe injuries and facing dire financial straits, you may have questions about the best course of action to take to protect your future interests.