Mental And Physical Driving Distractions
Often people think of all driving distractions as being visual. While some are, taking your eyes off of the road while driving is extremely risky, there are other forms of distracted driving as well. Florida accidents have occurred because a person was mentally distracted, thinking about a business meeting for example, and made a driving mistake because their attention wasn’t focused on driving duties. Additionally, taking your hands off the wheel to go through a bag is a physical distraction that carries a high accident risk.
After an accident, there are a lot of details that need to be tended to. You need to have your physical injuries assessed in order to heal properly, there may be property damages that need to be fixed, and likely there will be high bills to pay as well. To learn about how to cope with distracted driving accident fees, talk to a Delray Beach personal injury attorney.
Physical and Mental Distraction Examples
Sitting in a proper driving position is part of safe travel. When an activity moves you from your driving position, you are likely participating in a physical distraction, whether you are removing your hands from the controls of the car or pivoting your body. And losing mental focus is dangerous as well. This could include any or all of the following.
- Unwrapping and eating food.
- Trying to find something, from feeling the car floor to digging in a purse.
- Applying makeup.
- Shifting your body to talk to passengers in the backseat.
- Obsessing about a recent fight or emotional situation.
- Daydreaming
- Fiddling with music controls or dashboard settings
And beyond these listed dangers, interacting with cellphones and other mobile devices carry multiple distractions, including physical, mental, and visual.
Do Not Attempt to Multitask While Driving
When people drive every day, it is possible that they will fall into bad habits, such as believing they can do more than one thing at a time. But when you are driving you need to focus on driving. Circumstances can change quickly, and if another driver blows through a red light or there is a sudden shift in weather, you need to be able to react immediately. Which can’t be done efficiently if you are doing multiple things behind the wheel.
Avoiding an accident is always the best option. But if you have already been involved in a crash, talk to a Delray Beach personal injury attorney.
Were you struck by a driver who was mentally or physically distracted? You may be able to access the monetary damages you need to settle your accident expenses. To get started, talk to the knowledgeable attorneys at Earnhart Law in Delray Beach. Higher compensation amounts could be in reach with an attorney fighting for your rights. After reviewing the facts of your case, experienced lawyers can guide you through next steps. With over 30 years of experience handling personal injury cases, our attorneys have the knowledge, experience, and skills you need. Call 561-265-2220 or contact us online to schedule an initial, confidential meeting.
