Whenever you hear the words “distracted driving,” you may immediately think about texting or using a cell phone behind the wheel. However, you may not be aware that there are many different types of distracted driving. Distracted driving is any action that takes your focus from the road or your hands from the wheel. Here are a few different types of distracted driving.
A manual distraction is anything that causes you to take your hands off the steering wheel. This can be anything from reaching for your cell phone or changing the radio station to taking a drink of water. These kinds of distractions can slow down your reaction time if you suddenly need to take swift action because of an unexpected obstacle.
Cognitive distractions while driving can be exceptionally dangerous. These kinds of distractions can affect your mental state or orientation. Examples of cognitive distractions are daydreaming, singing along to the song on the radio or talking with passengers. Also, driving in a sad, angry or anxious state can affect your attentiveness behind the wheel.
Just as the name implies, auditory distractions are sound-based and can be any noise that interferes with your hearing or takes your attention from the road. Common auditory distractions are listening to loud music, making phone calls or yelling at other drivers. When you are listening to music when driving, be sure to keep the volume at a reasonable level so that it does not distract you from focusing on the road.
Visual distractions are possibly the most common forms of distracted driving. Visual distractions come in many forms and are anything that redirects your eyes from the road. The most familiar type of visual distraction is your cell phone. When driving, so many things can happen in a split second, so it’s critically important to always keep your eyes on the road.
In most states, there are laws that outlaw and discourage using your phone while driving. Distracted driving can be as bad, if not worse, than driving while intoxicated. Unfortunately, you can only control your actions and cannot control what other drivers do. If you have suffered injuries or the loss of an immediate family member because of a negligent driver, there are options available to help you in the aftermath.
]]>Although most wrecks are just fender benders, millions of people across the country are injured every year in traffic accidents. Injuries from motor vehicle accidents can range from life-threatening organ damage to relatively minor injuries like scrapes and bruises. However, some injuries are more common than others. Here are some of the most common injuries that happen in motor vehicle accidents and some symptoms you should watch for if you’re involved in an accident.
Head injuries are common in car accidents and can be very serious injuries. If you are in a high-speed collision, striking your head against the steering wheel or dashboard could cause a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Symptoms of brain injuries range from mild concussions to comas and sometimes cause lasting cognitive problems. Often, extensive medical treatment and long-term medical care are required after more serious brain injuries.
Back injuries are also quite common in motor vehicle accidents. If you suffer a back injury you may experience reduced feeling in your hands, arms, feet and legs. Or you could lose control of your extremities altogether. Unfortunately, serious spinal damage can leave victims permanently paralyzed.
If you’ve been driving for any amount of time you’ve probably heard of whiplash. Whiplash may be the most common type of injury associated with car accidents. Whiplash is caused by the sudden movement of the neck and head and usually happens if you’re in a rear-end collision. Swelling and neck pain often happen with whiplash injuries.
Blunt force trauma from a more serious crash can cause chest injuries such as broken ribs and collapsed lungs. If you’re involved in a serious crash you may also need to watch out for internal bleeding in the chest area or damage to internal organs. These types of injuries can be life-threatening and often require immediate medical attention.
If you are involved in an accident, your life could change drastically. Injuries from an unexpected crash may have you facing mounting expenses and financial hurdles that often come with extensive medical care and recovery. Also, your injuries could have an impact on your quality of life and your independence. If your injuries are the result of the negligence of another party, you have a right to pursue damages through a personal injury claim.
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