How Often Is Distracted Driving a Factor in New Jersey Accidents?

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There’s nothing more frustrating than seeing a driver on their phone or turned around, looking at their passengers. Not only is this dangerous for the people in the car, but it puts the drivers around them at risk. Understanding what distracted driving is and how it can cause serious injuries is essential to keeping yourself and others safe on the road. However, it’s impossible to control the actions of other drivers, leaving you susceptible to injuries. If you were involved in a collision due to a negligent driver, ensuring you contact Monmouth County auto accident attorneys is crucial to getting the justice you deserve.

What Are the Kinds of Distracted Driving?

Many people assume that cellphone use is the only kind of distracted driving. However, three primary forms of distractions can cause drivers to collide with others. These include manual, visual, and cognitive distractions.

Manual distractions include anything requiring a driver to take their hands off the wheel, such as eating, styling hair, or adjusting the radio. Visual distractions take your eyes away from the road, such as looking at accidents on the other side of the road, your entertainment system, or other passengers in your car. Finally, cognitive distractions can be dangerous, as other drivers may not notice someone is not paying attention. This is because, despite having hands on the wheel and eyes on the road, a driver is not focused on the road. Instead, they are daydreaming or engaged in conversation with passengers.

What Makes This So Dangerous?

When a driver is not focusing on driving, this increases the likelihood of dangerous collisions. When a driver is not looking at or focusing on the road, they miss lights, stop signs, pedestrians, and hazards on the road. Similarly, those who do not have one or both hands on the wheel may not be able to get their hands back to regain control of the car if dangers are present.

To emphasize how dangerous texting and driving is, this action involves all three distractions, as a driver is using the device in their hands, looking at the screen, and thinking about a reply.

Can an Attorney Help if I’m Injured by a Distracted Driver?

If you are injured by a negligent, distracted driver, ensuring you get the justice you deserve is vital. Calling emergency services and obtaining a police report and medical attention is essential to helping your case.

You should also talk to witnesses who can attest to the fact that the driver who caused the accident was not paying attention to the road. Similarly, you may ask local homes and businesses if they have security cameras that captured the accident, showing that the driver was preoccupied with something else in the moments leading up to the collision.

When you’re in need of legal guidance, the Wilton Law Firm is ready to help. We understand how dangerous these accidents can be, and will do everything possible to hold the negligent driver responsible. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation to learn how we can assist you.