Losing focus on the task at hand while driving can be dangerous, even if this only lasts a moment. Despite the risks involved, the presence of such issues continues to be a contributing factor in collisions. Car accidents involving distracted drivers may also run a greater risk of leaving those involved with serious or life-changing injuries. While types of driver distractions can take on numerous forms, studies indicate that such behaviors may typically fall under at least one of three specific categories.
The categories
The first category of distracted driving involves visual distractions, which pertains to any action that forces drivers to take their eyes off the road. This could involve anything from reading or writing a text message to looking over to find an item in the passenger seat, and anything that diverts one’s eyes off the road for even a moment could prove hazardous. Manual distractions is the second category and this involves actions that force drivers to take one or both hands off the wheel while driving.
Types of manual distractions can include acts such as reaching over to punch an address into a GPS device or using one hand to eat or drink while driving. Such actions may inherently disrupt one’s ability to react to situations that arise. The third category is cognitive distractions, which pertains to anything that diverts one’s attention off the road. Phone conversations and talking to passengers are just two examples of things that could lead to a divide in one’s attention.
Distracted driving collisions
Any type of distraction could disrupt a driver’s ability to safely operate a vehicle and increase the risks a dangerous car accident might take place. Those who encounter a distracted driver may struggle to avoid an ensuing safety hazard and the outcome of an ensuing collision could pose a significant threat to their safety. Individuals in Maryland who suffer injuries due to such negligence might find it beneficial to speak with a personal injury attorney for advice on their available legal avenues and the best course of action to take to seek the restitution entitled.
