Thousands of Americans fall victim to devastating car crashes that result in horrible injuries, terrible property damage, and even death. The most common and, unfortunately, the most easily avoidable cause of a car crash is the visual distraction of the driver.
Anything that diverts the driver’s attention from the road is considered a visual distraction, and these may as well be the driver’s phone, a billboard, a street sign, another vehicle, or a pedestrian. Many drivers don’t fully realize how quickly an accident can happen, even if they take their eyes off the road briefly.
American drivers engage in a distracting secondary activity about 30% of the time they spend behind the wheel, and that is a dangerous number. Visual distraction of the driver causes 16% of all fatal collisions, according to one study, and the number may be much higher because drivers are unlikely to admit that they were distracted while driving.
Even a city like Fargo, with its relatively low population density and less traffic, regularly sees this type of car crash. If you have been the victim of a car crash, it might be challenging to prove that the driver at fault was distracted while driving, but a Fargo car accident lawyer can help you with that. These lawyers specialize in car accident claims and know how to get you the compensation you deserve for your suffering.
The Most Common Causes of Visual Distraction of Drivers in America
Most people would agree that a common cause behind a driver’s visual distraction is probably their phone, and that is true up to a point. We will surely discuss that, but there are other causes too that end up distracting a driver and may lead to a car crash. Let us see the most common causes behind visual distractions in American drivers:
1. Texting while Driving
As we just mentioned above, one of the most common causes of car accidents due to distracted driving happens when the driver tries to text on their phone while driving. According to the NHTSA, texting is the leading cause of distracted driving on American roadways, and the rise of this situation is alarming.
When a driver reads or responds to a text while operating a vehicle, their eyes are taken off the road for a minimum of five seconds, and that is enough time to cross half a football field even if the driver was going slowly. Another problem with texting is that the driver is not only visually distracted, but they also have less control over the car because they are not using both hands on the wheel.
2. Adjusting Car Controls or Checking GPS for Location
Even the simplest actions, such as tuning into the radio, adjusting the temperature of the car, or checking the GPS for location updates, might divert focus from driving and can lead to an accident. Drivers need to stop their cars before they use the GPS, and they should also use hands-free gadgets to lower the chance of visual distraction while driving.
3. Rubbernecking
This is another common cause of visual distraction because it’s hard to avoid looking when someone drives by a collision site, suddenly sees an animal by the side of the road, or comes across anything unusual or unexpected. Even if the driver slows down, there is still a chance of an accident just because for a few seconds the driver got visually distracted.
4. Distractions on the Road
Some things on the road, such as billboards or road signs may catch the driver’s attention and cause an accident. Drivers also get visually distracted when they are searching for a turn, an address, or looking for a spot in the parking lot. Wildlife is also a common cause of visual distraction since the sudden appearance of an animal by the roadside will make anyone look at it.
Conclusion
Even the most seasoned drivers can become visually distracted sometimes if they are not careful about their driving habits. Authorities all over the country agree that a distracted driver is the most common cause of automobile accidents in America.
If you have been in such an accident and want to sue the driver who caused the crash, your best option is to contact a car accident lawyer. That is because for a layperson, it is impossible to prove in a court of law that the driver was visually distracted, but a car accident lawyer knows how to summon phone records of the driver or how to analyze the accident site to look for proof of distraction. They can get you the compensation you deserve.