Considering the risks of distracted driving

Unfortunately, many people have witnessed distracted driving. Whether a driver is talking on the phone, texting, eating or putting on makeup, his or her attention is not on the road where it should be. It can cause serious injuries, resulting in expensive medical bills for the victim.

Statistics also indicate that thousands of people each year lose their lives in distracted driving accidents. Victims can include people who are walking, riding their bikes or doing another activity outside of their vehicle.

Types of distracted driving

Drivers may be interested to know that there are three categories of distracted driving. These are cognitive, manual and visual.

Cognitive distraction occurs when the driver takes his or her mind off of driving. This could be when he or she is daydreaming, talking to others in the car or on the phone, or otherwise not paying attention to his or her surroundings.

Manual distraction is when the driver takes his or her hands off the wheel and visual distraction is when the driver takes his or her eyes off the road. Both can happen while the driver is eating or texting, for example.

Risk factors and injuries

While younger drivers are at an increased risk of being involved in a distracted driving accident, drivers at any age can be at fault. Some drivers who know they are susceptible using their phone while they drive choose to put their phone in a glove box or other compartment and some use an app that can help them avoid texting while driving.

Distracted driving accidents can cause minor injuries like cuts and scrapes and those that are more serious like broken bones, spinal and neck injuries and whiplash. If a person has been injured in a distracted driving accident, an experienced personal injury attorney in Salt Lake City can help.