What Is Distracted Driving?

When someone first enters a driver’s education class they are taught the basics, never get behind the wheel if you have been drinking, never take your eyes off the road, and keep your hands at 9 and 2 o’clock. While drivers might break these rules on a daily basis, it doesn’t mean they’re any less dangerous. Perhaps the most common of these driving errors is distracted driving.

If you have been injured due to a distracted driver, you may be able to receive compensation for your injuries. Call Zinda Law Group at (800) 863 5312 to discuss your case and set up your 100% free consultation. You will not pay us anything unless we are successful in winning your case.

What Is Defined As Distracted Driving?

Any time a driver fails to pay proper attention to the road because they’re otherwise occupied, they are driving while distracted. A driver may be distracted through a variety of ways, such as:

• Using a cellular or mobile device
• Adjusting radio settings
• Adjusting air conditioning or heater settings
• Eating while driving
• Self-grooming
• Interacting with passengers
• Reading.

If you have been injured in a car accident, a personal injury attorney may be able to help you determine if distracted driving may have caused the accident. A skilled injury lawyer from Zinda Law Group will be able to use his or her years of experience helping other victims pursue compensation to conduct a thorough investigation of your case.

What Are The 3 Types Of Distracted Driving?

Getting distracted behind the wheel imposes tremendous risks on fellow motorists. While distractions can manifest in copious forms, there are three common categories to characterize how the distraction is inhibiting the driver.

• Manual

  • Manual distractions occur when the driver is distracted by something that involves using their hands for anything other than driving. Some of the more common manual distractions include texting or eating.

• Visual

  • Visual distractions refer to any impediments, events, or behaviors which cause a driver to shift their eyes away from the roadway. Common visual distractions may include looking at a cell phone or GPS.

• Cognitive

  • A cognitive distraction refers to a disturbance that interferes with the driver’s cognitive perception of the roadway for an extended period. Cognitive distractions don’t just distract a driver physically and visually, but also mentally. Some typical cognitive distractions may include focusing on a rambunctious pet or a child in the back seat.

If you have been involved in an accident and believe the other driver was distracted, contact Zinda Law Group today to discuss your potential claim.

What Are The Dangers Of Distracted Driving?

Driving while distracted can be dangerous, even deadly. In 2020, distracted driving resulted in over 3,000 deaths in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Further, in 2019, 15 percent of all car accidents reported were caused by distracted driving, while 9 percent of fatal car accidents were caused by distracted driving; these accidents resulted in an estimated 424,000 injuries.

Driving while distracted is clearly dangerous. If you have been injured by a distracted driver, call an experienced attorney at Zinda Law Group today.

Proving The Other Driver Was Distracted

Most accident cases involve some form of property damage and/or personal injury claim, depending on the severity of the accident. A personal injury is a legal term that refers to an injury to an individual’s body, mind, or psyche.

Under both legal claims, fault is generally attributed based on a theory of negligence. To demonstrate that the other party was negligent, plaintiffs will typically have to prove four elements:

• Duty: A legal duty arises when the law recognizes that there is a relationship between the defendant and the plaintiff which requires the defendant to act in a particular manner, often referred to as the duty of care, toward the plaintiff. In the event of a car accident, the other driver owed you a duty of care to operate their motor vehicle safely.
• Breach: A breach of a legal duty occurs when the defendant fails to exercise appropriate care. An example of a breach of legal duty in a distracted driving accident could be texting while driving.
• Causation: For a defendant to be held legally and financially responsible, the defendant’s breach was the but-for or proximate cause of the accident; meaning but for driver distraction, the accident would not have happened.
• Damages: In any civil case for financial compensation, a plaintiff must prove a legally recognized harm, usually in the form of physical injury to a person or to property, to recover

Ultimately, if the plaintiff can prove that the other driver acted negligently, then they can be held financially liable for any losses that the plaintiff incurred as a part of the accident.

Although establishing these elements in court can be challenging, the personal injury attorneys at Zinda Law Group are here to help you legitimize your claim and seek optimal recovery for your injuries.

Need Help? Speak To An Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer Today

Many dangers and hazards may be encountered while driving, such as inclement weather, poor road conditions, and heavy traffic; drivers must therefore take special care at all times to ensure they are able to safely reach their destination. However, adding to the many other hazards that may be present on the highway, distracted driving is a completely avoidable danger that has been on the rise.

If you have been injured in a car accident, you should contact a Zinda Law Group personal injury attorney today at (800) 863 5312 to set up your free initial consultation and to help you determine whether the at-fault driver may have been driving while distracted. You do not have to worry about paying us anything unless we are able to win you compensation in your case. That is our “No Win, No Fee Guarantee.”

Meetings with attorneys are available by appointment only.