New Mexico Distracted Driving Accident Attorneys
INJURED IN A CRASH WITH A DISTRACTED DRIVER?
Distracted driving is any activity that diverts a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving. Any activity a driver engages in that isn’t driving is a potential crash-causing distraction. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 3,477 people killed in crashes involving a distracted driver in 2019.
The United States Department of Transportation defines the three main types of distracted driving as follows:
- Visual — taking your eyes off the road
- Manual — taking your hands off the wheel
- Cognitive — taking your mind off what you’re doing
While all distractions can endanger drivers’ safety, texting is the most alarming because it involves all three types of distraction. Research has indicated that even the use of hands-free phone conversations can cause drivers to miss visual and audio cues that could help them avoid an auto accident. The National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS) estimated that at a typical daylight moment in 2014, there were 587,632 passenger vehicles driven by people using hand-held cellphones.
ACTIVITIES THAT CAUSE DISTRACTED DRIVING CRASHES
Although the advent and increased popularity of smartphones has lead to an increase in distracted driving crashes, there are other popular activities that people take part in while driving that could cause a serious accident.
- Using a cell phone
- Eating and drinking
- Talking to passengers
- Reading, including maps
- Using a PDA or navigation system
- Watching a video
- Changing the radio station, CD, or Mp3 player.
CONTACT OUR NEW MEXICO DISTRACTED DRIVING INJURY ATTORNEYS
If you or a loved one have been injured in an auto accident due to the actions of a distracted driver, you may be entitled to compensation. Our experienced auto accident lawyers are available to evaluate your claim. Contact us today for a free case review.