Every state has laws against impaired driving, and most states also now have laws against texting while driving. But there are many other situations in which your driving could be impaired by distractions. Even though these distractions are not against the law, they are likely to cause an accident. If you cause an accident due to being distracted, you could be liable for the other person’s injuries and property damage.
Here are some of the most common types of distracted driving.
Eating While Driving
A lot of people do it, especially people who travel a lot for work or recreation. It can be very tempting to go through the drive thru at your favorite fast food restaurant to grab a bite to eat so that you can stay on the road, but eating while driving can be very dangerous. Here are a few examples.
- Eating a burger, the toppings fall down onto your lap or steering wheel.
- Reaching for fries, you could miss a hazard in the road or from other drivers.
- Looking down to remove food from containers takes your eyes off the road while also removing your hands from the steering wheel.
There could be many more examples added to this list. If you are in a hurry and want to go through a drive thru rather than sit inside, at least sit in your vehicle in the parking lot long enough to finish your meal before getting back on the road.
Smoking While Driving
Smoking has its own hazards. First, you are taking at least one hand off the wheel to light and hold the cigarette. You will also be looking down to grab a cigarette and lighter, as well as looking away from the road to light it. If you drop the cigarette, you will be forced to get off the road quickly to prevent a fire. This can lead to some of the most dangerous accidents.
Chair Dancing
Everyone likes to listen to some good music while driving, especially if you are in traffic, but getting really into your favorite song could be a big mistake. When you are chair dancing and singing your way down the highway, you are not paying close attention to everything around you. This can cause you to miss cues from other drivers that can lead to accidents.
If you have been in a car accident caused by a distracted driver, contact us today to learn how we can help you get the compensation that you deserve.