With many streets being littered with distractions such as billboard signs and cellphones in nearly all vehicles, it is no wonder inattention continues to be a major concern for drivers. Since a motor vehicle can travel several hundred feet in a few seconds, it is clear to see how even a moment of distraction on the part of a driver could prove catastrophic. Taking the time to better understand the consequences of driver distractions and the role inattention can play in a car accident could help individuals in Illinois prepare to stay safe as they travel.
Driver distractions come in a multitude of forms and fashions, such as texting or carrying on a phone conversation while driving, or even attempting to eat, drink or read a map. It could prove difficult to list every action that constitutes as a distraction. However, each of these actions typically falls under one of three categories, which include manual, visual and cognitive distractions.
Manual distractions describe any action that forces a person to remove one or both hands off the wheel, even if only for a moment. Any actions that take one’s eyes off the road falls under a visual distraction, while anything that take a portion of one’s attention off the task at hand constitutes as a cognitive distraction. There are even certain actions that could fall under two or all three categories, such as reading or writing a text while driving.
Individuals who suffer serious injuries in a car accident due to the negligent actions of a distracted driver may face a variety of challenges in life, physical and financial alike. Following the incident, a person in Illinois could choose to speak with an attorney for guidance on all his or her available options for legal recourse. An attorney can help a client better understand what to expect from the process and assist him or her in pursuing the restitution entitled through a personal injury claim against the party deemed responsible.
