On the road, you need to keep an eye out for reckless drivers. Aside from drunk driving and speeding, many drivers cause accidents due to distracted driving. Whether someone swerves in front of your vehicle abruptly or rear-ends your car, the details of distracted driving accidents vary from one crash to the next. Sadly, some distracted driving accidents cause serious hardships, such as catastrophic injuries and even wrongful death. Drivers who cause these collisions must answer for the consequences of their actions, and our Albany distracted driving accident attorneys can help. So, what are the most common distracted driving statistics?
Distracted driving increases the odds of an accident
According to the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, distracted driving is the top contributing factor when it comes to traffic crashes in New York. Moreover, texting and using cell phones are the most common reasons drivers become distracted behind the wheel.
In fact, if a driver takes his or her eyes off of the road for two seconds or longer, the likelihood of an accident (or near accident) becomes doubled. Furthermore, if drivers are inattentive due to fatigue, they are four times more likely to find themselves in an accident (or a near accident).
Secondary tasks resulting in distracted driving
There are many secondary tasks that can interfere with a driver’s ability to focus on the road. Aside from phone use, some drivers try to read, talk to others in the vehicle, put makeup on or eat while behind the wheel, which can increase the odds of an accident. These tasks can cause drivers to take their hands off the wheel and lose focus, and distracted driving accident victims deserve justice. If you suffered personal injuries from a car accident, you need a car accident lawyer Albany NY to fight for your right to compensation.