Many people multi-task. Although this habit allows individuals to perform multiple duties at the same time, this can be especially dangerous when a person performs two or more actions at a time while driving. Operating a vehicle requires a driver’s full attention. However, many people continue to engage in distracted driving and these people may find themselves involved in a car collision. It is important to determine how cellphone use contributes to the majority of car accidents in the country.
According to a report by the National Safety Council, 26 percent of the nation’s car accidents are due to drivers using cellphones. Surprisingly, only 5 percent of cellphone-related accidents were caused by texting. The report indicated that texting is as dangerous as answering calls using hands-free devices. When a driver replies to a text message, the driver can have a delayed reaction. The driver, on the other hand, who answers calls with a hands-free device is not free from distraction either. The study shows that answering phones while driving can take the driver’s attention away from the road, which is dangerous.
Drivers who want to avoid collisions should refrain from using their cellphones while operating their vehicles. If they have to answer a text message, for example, they can pull over to the shoulder and reply to the text message. By doing so, they can avoid collisions that often lead to fatal injuries.
When a car collides with other vehicles, it is difficult to determine if cellphone use was a factor, as most drivers deny that they were using their phones prior to the collision. If an investigation finds out that the driver who caused the crash was indeed distracted, the injured parties may have the right to file a tort claim and hold the responsible party accountable. Tort claims such as personal injury claims enable the injured parties to seek compensation for their losses.
Source: Usatoday.com, “Cellphone use causes over 1 in 4 car accidents,” Gabrielle Kratsas, March 28, 2014
