Maryland and DC Distracted Driving Car Accident Attorneys
Many of our lives today are hectic and leave us feeling as though we are juggling more balls than we can handle. In order to be successful, we rely on our motor vehicles to navigate our jobs, our social lives, and our household responsibilities. Unfortunately, some people use their time behind the wheel to play catch up on activities they haven’t had time for, such as checking social media accounts or eating a meal. When a driver’s attention is diverted to anything not directly related to the operation of the motor vehicle, they are engaging in distracted driving.
What are common types of distracted driving?
There are three common types of distracted driving. They are cognitive, visual, and manual.
Together they are a triple threat as each one can lead to an automobile accident.
Cognitive Distractions
A cognitive distraction is also known as a mental distraction. It happens when the driver is thinking about something other than operating the vehicle. There are different varieties of cognitive distractions.
- Passengers: Passengers in a motor vehicle can be a major distraction to the driver. From an unruly child demanding attention or a friend engaging the driver in polite conversation, passengers can make it very difficult for a driver to concentrate on the act of driving.
- Daydreaming: We’ve all been there – you arrive at a destination and have no recollection of how you got there. It can be a little scary when you realize that you were so busy thinking about something other than driving you can’t even remember operating your vehicle. This type of “daydreaming” can lead to accidents as a driver needs to constantly be aware of their surroundings.
- Using Hands Free Technology: While it may feel like you are being safe by using hands free technology to make a phone call or operate a navigation system, the truth is you are still distracted from safely operating the vehicle when utilizing these systems.
Visual Distractions
A visual distraction is when a driver takes their eyes off the road. Although common, a visual distraction can prove deadly. It only takes a split second of looking somewhere other than the road for an accident to happen.
- Children in the backseat: Taking your eyes off the road to discipline bickering children in the back seat is a dangerous practice.
- Roadside Attractions: By concentrating on storefronts, car accidents, pedestrians or other roadside attractions it is easy for a driver to lose focus on the road.
- Looking in a Mirror: Looking in a mirror to check your appearance, even for a moment, diverts a driver’s attention.
Manual Distractions
Manual distractions are the type of distractions that come to mind when you think about distracted driving. Manual distractions occur when the driver of a vehicle removes their hands from the steering wheel.
- Grooming: Applying makeup, brushing your hair, and shaving; all of these activities require a motor vehicle driver to remove at least one hand from the wheel.
- Cell Phones: Cell phones are the most common cause of distracted driving. They are not just used for having conversations but are utilized to surf the internet, check social media sites, and send text messages.
- Eating and Drinking: Although most people are guilty of eating a meal while on the go, it is impossible to do so while keeping both hands on the steering wheel.
Injured in a Distracted Driving Accident? Contact Our Firm For Help
If you’ve been injured by a distracted driver in Maryland or DC contact our firm today at 301-925-9080 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our distracted driving car accident attorneys. We are eager to use our skill and knowledge in helping you obtain the compensation you deserve.