Distracted driving is a leading cause of car accidents in the United States, including Kentucky. Sadly, the most dangerous distractions from eating, texting while driving, or other distractions can lead to devastating accidents and fatalities.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 13,524 people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic deaths and another 3,308 died due to other car accidents related to distracted driving.

A distracted driver will most likely cause a car accident by neglecting their primary task of safely operating their vehicle and protecting other drivers and passengers in other vehicles.

What Are the Three Main Categories of Distracted Driving?

Visual distractions: These occur when a driver takes their eyes off the road, instead of giving their full attention to other motor vehicles.

Common examples of include:

• Looking at a GPS or map
• Reading texts
• Observing other car accidents

Manual distractions: Taking one or both hands off the steering wheel and losing focus, causing a lack of vehicle control. 

Common manual distractions include:

• Eating or drinking
• Adjusting the car radio or climate controls
• Using cell phones or other electronic devices
• Texting on a cell phone while driving

Cognitive distractions: Cognitive distractions mean reduced driver’s attention and can include the driver’s eyes looking away from the road.

Even if the eyes are on the road and hands are on the wheel, cognitive distractions can still be extremely dangerous.

Examples include:

• Daydreaming/thinking about something else
• Operating while over the legal limit of an intoxicating substance
• Engaging in conversations with passengers
• Stress or emotional distress

How Can We Reduce the Number of Accidents?

• Limit the use of cell phones: Use hands-free devices or turn off the phone to avoid the temptation of texting while driving or calling.
• Set up navigation in advance: Program GPS devices before starting your trip to avoid adjusting them.
• Secure loose items: See that any items that might roll or fall are properly secured to prevent reaching for them.
• Take breaks: For longer trips, take breaks to eat, make calls, or handle other tasks.
• Educate and advocate: Spread awareness about the dangers of risky driving and encourage safe driving practices within your community.

Understanding and addressing distracted drivers is crucial for enhancing road safety and reducing the number of preventable accidents and physical injuries.

If you’ve been injured by a negligent driver, call Rhoads & Rhoads today at 888-709-9329 or reach out here. 

The Importance of Seeking Legal Help After a Distracted Driving Accident

If you or a loved one has been in a distracted driving accident, legal assistance is essential. Distracted driving accident lawyers help you navigate the legal process and secure the compensation you deserve.

At Rhoads & Rhoads, we provide professional legal services to victims in Kentucky. Our commitment sees that every client feels supported throughout their legal matter.

Call Rhoads & Rhoads distracted driving attorneys today at 888-709-9329 or schedule your free consultation online. 

Common Types of Actions by Distracted Drivers

Some distracting actions drivers take include:

Texting and driving: Sending a text combines visual, manual, and cognitive distractions, making it particularly hazardous. It takes 4.6 seconds to read a text. This is the equivalent of traveling the length of a football field with your eyes off the road. Even a brief glance at a phone can result in missing critical events such as sudden stops or pedestrians crossing.

Using in-car technology: Modern vehicles come equipped with various technological features like touchscreens and voice controls. While a cell phone can be convenient, they can also distract drivers from the road, especially when navigating complex menus or inputs.

Interacting with passengers: Conversations with passengers can shift a driver’s focus away from driving.

Eating or drinking: Consuming food or beverages requires one or both hands to leave the steering wheel and can divert attention away from the road.

Handling pets: Unrestrained pets in a vehicle can move around and cause significant distractions, leading drivers to take their hands off the wheel or eyes off the road to manage them.

Proving Liability in Distracted Driving Accidents

Federal and state laws have been enacted to address the dangers of visual, manual, and cognitive distraction. In Kentucky, there are specific regulations that prohibit texting, and when people break those laws, they are liable for damages they cause.

In some accidents, comparative negligence may apply, where both parties share responsibility for the accident.

A skilled distracted driving accident attorney can establish the other driver was at fault and pursue compensation.

Call Rhoads & Rhoads today at 888-709-9329 or schedule your free case review here. 

Steps to Take After a Distracted Driving Accident

If you are involved in a distracted driving car accident, taking immediate action is crucial:

• Ensure safety and call emergency services: Check for injuries and call 911.
• Collect evidence at the scene: Take photos, collect contact information from witnesses, take note of any cameras that may provide video surveillance, and note any visible distractions in the other vehicle for the driver.
• Contact your insurance company: Report the accident and provide the necessary details.
• Seek medical attention: Even if you feel fine, it is essential to seek medical attention after a distracted driving car accident. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent.
• Contact an accident lawyer: Contact a distracted driving accident lawyer as soon as possible.

Every Rhoads & Rhoads personal injury attorney offers a free consultation. Call today at 888-709-9329 or schedule your free consultation here. 

During this initial meeting, we will review the details of the accident, gather evidence, and explain your legal options for filing a claim.

How a Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer Can Help

Our legal team at Rhoads & Rhoads fights for your rights through:

• Initial consultation and case review
• Evidence collection
• Legal representation and strategy development
• Negotiation and settlement
• Pre-trial preparation
• Filing court documents

Questions to Ask Potential Distracted Driver Accident Lawyers

• What is your experience with securing financial compensation from accidents caused by negligent drivers?
• What are your fee structure and payment options?
• Can you provide references or testimonials from past clients?
• Who will be handling my case day-to-day, and will I have access to them?

FAQs About Distracted Driving Accidents and Lawyers

• How long do I have to file a claim?: Kentucky’s statute of limitations is typically two years from the date of the accident.
• What if the other driver denies being distracted? Your lawyer can help gather evidence to prove the other driver’s distraction.
• What should I avoid saying to insurance adjusters after the distracted driver accident?
  Only provide factual information about the car crash and refer any detailed questions or settlement discussions to your lawyer.
• How long does it typically take to resolve a driver distraction car crash accident claim?
  The duration varies depending on the case’s complexity, the amount of lost income and medical bills in the claim, the severity of injuries, and the willingness of both parties to negotiate.

Common Myths and Misconceptions About Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is just about texting.
Distracted driving collisions involve more than just texting; they include activities like eating, adjusting the radio, talking to passengers, or using in-car technologies.

Hands-free devices are completely safe.
Engaging in phone conversations or using voice commands can still divert your mental focus from driving, impairing your ability to react to road conditions.

Only young drivers are distracted drivers.
Older drivers can be just as prone to distractions, whether from using navigation systems, interacting with passengers, sending a text message, or managing personal tasks while driving.

Distracted driving accidents only happen on highways.
Distracted driving behaviors can occur anywhere, including local streets and rural roads, not just highways.

You can safely multitask while driving.
The human brain struggles with multitasking, especially while operating a motor vehicle. Performing multiple tasks like making phone calls, eating, or personal grooming increases the likelihood of accidents.

Short glances away from the road are harmless.
Even brief glances away from the road, such as cell phone use or looking at a GPS, can lead to significant travel distances without driver awareness.

Distracted driving isn’t a serious offense and there’s no option for pursuing compensation.
It is a serious offense that can result in severe legal consequences, including fines, license suspension, and criminal charges, especially if it leads to fatalities.

Experienced drivers don’t lose focus.
Even seasoned drivers engage in distracting behaviors, which puts other vehicles in danger just as easily as with less experienced drivers.

Contact Rhoads & Rhoads Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer

Distracted driving accidents can have devastating consequences.

Hiring a Rhoads & Rhoads distracted driving accident lawyer lets us hold the at-fault driver responsible for the car accident.

Each Rhoads & Rhoads distracted driving accident attorney works on a contingency fee basis, which means we don’t get paid unless we win!

Call us today at 888-709-9329 to talk about your personal injury claim, or schedule your free consultation online here.