Auto accidents often happen because of drunk driving, manufacturing negligence, medication, speeding and aggression. These kinds of accidents can lead to permanent injuries and fatalities. One of the most common causes of auto accidents, however, is actually distracted driving.
Distracted driving happens when drivers do something other than driving that might cause them to look away from the road or impair their control over their vehicles. A driving distraction can be cognitive, visual or manual. Some typical driving distractions are eating, drinking, pets, passengers and radios – but cellular phones have emerged as one of the biggest driving distractions in modern times. Here’s why:
Phones are made to attract people’s attention
The invention of home phones helped bridge gaps between people over long distances. Mobile phones then bridged this gap even more by allowing people to call and text from any location. Today, nearly everyone carries a phone with them and uses them to keep up with family over social media, check work emails, stay informed with current news and play games. Phones are an invention that the modern world likely couldn’t live without.
Manufacturers understand how important phones are and how much money their apps can make them. As such, manufacturers have made phones immensely distracting. Phones make noises, vibrate and send up other alerts to let people know that they’re getting a call or text. Many social media services also reward people for using their apps with likes and followers. All of these features attract more people to the services and make more money for manufacturers.
But, how does that make cell phone use dangerous for drivers? When phones are made to draw people’s attention, they also draw people away from important tasks, like driving. An ill-timed text or notification while driving may cause a driver to look away from the road and cause an accident.
If you’ve been the victim of a distracted driver and you’re injured, it may be time to find out more about your right to compensation for your losses.