A Bay Area Car Accident Attorney Discusses
You’re driving your car and you see another motorist drifting in and out of their lane because they're texting and driving. If you feel frustrated that the driver is distracted and might cause a serious car accident, a new report suggests you’ve got plenty of company.
According to a recent study by The Zebra, the top source of anger and frustration among drivers is distracted driving. The Zebra, an Austin-based insurance marketplace, states that the distracted driving problem in California and across the nation seems to be making people more and more frustrated.
The Zebra performed its first study in 2019 and found that 42 percent of motorists stated distracted drivers make them the angriest. Two years later, The Zebra asked the same question and 63 percent of the drivers surveyed said it made them angrier than any other driving behavior.
What Are Examples of Distracted Driving?
Distractions come in many forms and can include any behavior or activity that causes a motorist to divert their attention from their driving. This includes but is not limited to texting while driving, talking on the phone, eating and drinking, talking to passengers, self-grooming, and rubbernecking (looking at things on the side of the road).
Most drivers have cellphones, and when they use the devices to text or check the internet while behind the wheel, they are engaged in a top form of driver distraction. Still, any activity that takes the driver’s attention away from focusing on the road is a distraction.
Driver distractions can generally be broken down into three different types:
- Manual distractions: These distractions involve taking your hands off the wheel. They include activities such as typing text messages, eating or drinking, personal grooming and reaching for items in the back seat, among other things.
- Visual distractions: These are distractions that take your eyes off the road, such as looking at a cellphone, reading text messages, and looking at things on the side of the road.
- Cognitive distractions: This involves distraction of the mind. Drivers might lose focus on the road because they are exhausted or feeling emotional. Speaking on the phone or to passengers could create a cognitive distraction.
It's worth noting that texting and driving is considered one of the most dangerous forms of distracted driving because it serves as a manual, visual, and cognitive distraction. That's one reason why texting while driving has been banned in California and almost every other state in the nation.
What To Do if You Get Hit by a Distracted Driver
Unfortunately, distracted drivers continue to cause serious car accidents on California's roads and highways. A distracted driver who causes a crash should be held accountable for their negligence, as accidents can result in serious injuries and even death.
If you were injured or lost a loved one in a crash caused by a distracted driver, you have the right to seek compensation for your damages. Still, an insurance company might pressure you to accept a settlement offer that doesn’t begin to cover all your losses. In some cases, an insurance adjuster will deny a perfectly valid claim or argue the accident was your fault – not the fault of the driver who was distracted.
How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
Car accident claims involving distracted drivers can become complex quickly, and if you're not careful, you could end up missing out on the compensation you need and deserve.
That’s why it’s in your best interests to contact an experienced car accident attorney for a free consultation before you talk to an insurance company.
At Clancy & Diaz, LLP, our attorneys have the knowledge, experience, and resources to investigate what happened, gather evidence, build a strong case, and aggressively advocate for the compensation you're entitled to. Let us fight for you while you focus on what matters most: your recovery.
Contact us today. There are no obligations, and you pay no fees unless we win your case. We proudly serve clients in Walnut Creek, Antioch, and throughout the Bay Area.