According to data maintained by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, distracted drivers take the lives of at least 9 Americans and injure over 1,153 more every single day. Such statistics may be one reason that over two-thirds of drivers agree that distraction is a serious safety issue on America’s roads and highways.
What exactly is distracted driving? The CDC categorizes distraction into three types: visual, manual and cognitive. The classifications are defined by whether a driver takes his or her eyes, hands, and/or mind off the road. The specific behaviors may vary, but each ultimately results in a driver devoting less than his or her full attention to traffic flow, road conditions and other requirements of safe driving.
State leaders recognize the dangers of distracted driving. Alabama’s Attorney General has taken a particular initiative, called “It Can Wait,” urging students to take a pledge against reading or sending text messages while driving. Doing so is not only safe, but also the law in Alabama. In fact, police are authorized to pull over a driver in the state simply on suspicion of texting, even if no other suspected violation is present.
Unfortunately, distracted driving incidents continue to occur, as the CDC’s data confirms. A victim injured by a distracted driver’s negligence has the right to file a civil lawsuit seeking remedies, such as compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. However, liability must be proven by a preponderance of the evidence. This is where the skills of an experienced personal injury attorney play a role.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Distracted Driving,” copyright 2016, CDC
Related Article: “Alabama Attorney General shares dangers of texting and driving,” copyright 2016, Marsh, Rickard & Bryan
