Despite laws attempting to curtail it in Minnesota, distracted driving citations have increased in recent years. Obviously cell phone use is a problem behind the wheel, but what other distractions are causing the most crashes? In today’s blog, we take a closer look at some of the most common distractions that could lead to an automobile accident and a personal injury claim in Minnesota.
Common Distractions Behind The Wheel
Here’s a look at some of the leading distractions behind the wheel, and some advice should you ever find yourself involved in an automobile accident with a distracted driver.
1. Cell Phone Use – Cell phone use is the single biggest distraction behind the wheel. Whether it’s texting while driving, composing an email, scrolling through Instagram or making a phone call, a cell phone can provide a host of distractions while you’re supposed to be focused on the road. Fortunately, when it comes to earning compensation in the event of an automobile accident, time stamps and cell phone records can come into play to prove that the other driver was not paying attention to the road at the time of the accident.
2. Food And Drink – We’ve all eaten in the car at some point to help save some time, but the act of eating and drinking can also take your eyes off the road, and that can be a major problem. Obviously some foods are safer than others to eat behind the wheel, but any food or drink could come into evidence if it pulled your attention away from the road.
3. Passengers – Sometimes the biggest distraction is the people you’re riding with in the car. If your kids aren’t getting along or are roughhousing in the back seat, you can take your eyes off the road while you try to deal with the situation. If your passengers are pulling your attention away from the road, your chances of getting in an accident are going to increase.
4. Radio And Console Buttons – Cars are becoming more technologically advanced, but that also means that you may have more buttons to push that could end up taking your attention off the road. If you want to switch from the radio to Pandora on the touch screen, set your cruise control, turn on the heated seats and fade the music to the back seats, you can do it with the touch of a few buttons, but all those options can also prove to be distracting. If possible, have someone else manage the buttons on the console.
5. Rubbernecking – Finally, events outside the vehicle that pull our attention away from our lane also lead to a number of accidents each year. If you’re rubbernecking to look at someone pulled over on the side or the road or you’re reading billboards instead of keeping your eyes on the road ahead, you can end up in an accident if traffic starts to slow or stop. Pay attention to what’s going on in front of you, and you can avoid accidents caused by rubbernecking.
If you ever find yourself in the unfortunate position of being in an accident and you know or suspect that the other driver was distracted at the time of the crash, you need a lawyer by your side. That’s where the team at Hey Workers comes in. We can help prove your case and get you every penny you deserve. For more information on how we’ll work to do that, or to talk with a lawyer about the specifics of your case, give our team a call today at (844) 439-9675
