Distracted driving is a concept most Texas residents are familiar with by now. Many Texas car accidents continue to be caused by distracted driving, with the Texas Department of Transportation reporting that one in five accidents on Texas roads in 2021 involved distracted driving.
Most of us associate distracted driving with using our cell phones while driving, but it is much more than that.
There are many types of distracted driving
Distracted driving is generally defined as any activity that takes your attention and focus away from driving. This does include talking on your phone, texting or using your phone for any other activity.
However, there are many other activities that are considered distracted driving, including eating, talking to a passenger, adjusting a GPS system and even putting on makeup while in your car.
How to identify distracted drivers
You can often spot distracted drivers on the road. They are the ones who are driving erratically, speeding or swerving into other lanes.
Sometimes, you can even see that a driver is distracted and paying no attention to the road. Be careful that you do not spend so much time watching the distracted driver that you become distracted yourself.
Avoiding distracted drivers
You should avoid distracted drivers as much as you can to reduce your risk of an accident. Stay away from them on the road and pull over to the side of the road and let them go by if the situation becomes too dangerous.
An accident with a distracted driver can be traumatizing. You may suffer serious injuries and be out of work, as well as experience physical and mental suffering.
After treating your injuries, it is best to meet with a personal injury attorney to learn about your options for recovering compensation through a personal injury action. An attorney can help you file a claim, gather evidence and protect your right to relief.