April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, which reminds drivers to eliminate unnecessary distractions to protect themselves and everyone else on the road from a serious or fatal motor vehicle accident.
Distraction is dangerous. According to the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, 8,000 motorists in Oklahoma suffered an injury due to distracted driving accidents between 2017 and 2021. During this same time, 250 people died in distracted driving accidents in Oklahoma.
Nationally, distracted driving contributes to around 25 percent of all accidents, and many researchers believe the number is actually much higher.
Three types of distraction can occur while driving:
- Manual. Anything that takes your hands off the wheel. Examples include cellphones, eating and drinking, GPS and radio adjustments, personal grooming, etc.
- Visual. Anything that takes your eyes off the road. The above examples work here as well, but so does turning to talk to a passenger or reading billboards.
- Cognitive. Anything that takes your mind off the task of driving. This includes all the manual and visual distractions, as well as daydreaming, singing along to your favorite song, planning your next meeting, and much more.
Even everyday tasks can be dangerous when done while driving. The best way to prevent these behaviors from causing severe harm is by taking every step to avoid engaging while driving.
How do I Know if a Distracted Driver injured me?
It is difficult to determine what causes an accident without an investigation. When you are injured in an accident, working with an attorney who can reconstruct the event, look at it from various angles, and establish its causes remains one of the surest ways to determine if distraction played a role in your accident. The lawyers at Johnson & Biscone have decades of experience investigating accidents to build strong cases for our clients. We are here to listen to your story, help you understand your rights, and assist you in choosing the best course of action.
Please call our Oklahoma City office at 405-232-6490 to schedule your complimentary consultation. We serve victims of serious injury living throughout the state.