Whether your attention is taken off the road by your cell phone, your passengers or something else, there’s no doubt that driving while distracted is extremely unsafe. In fact, the National Safety Council estimates that behind-the-wheel cell phone use – just one of the many causes of distracted driving – leads to 1.6 million crashes each year. To help you keep your family safe and avoid being part of this unsettling figure, our Bucks County distracted driving accident lawyer would like to go over a few key actions you can take to prevent distraction-related crashes:
- Pull over in a safe place if you need to use your cell phone – This goes for both texting and calling. Even if you are using a hands-free device, talking on the phone while driving will still take away some of your focus from the road, thus making you more likely to miss important audio and visual signals and interfering with your ability to react in a split second to avoid an accident. With this in mind, you should always pull over if you need to use your cell phone for any reason. Just be sure to choose a safe stopping location!
- Limit the number of people riding in your car – Carpooling is certainly convenient, but it can also be risky. A recent study done at the George Institute for International Health in Australia found that the risk of a car accident occurring is more than doubled when two or more passengers are present in the vehicle. Considering this statistic, our distracted driving accident lawyer in Bucks County recommends carrying as few riders as possible. For times when you can’t avoid having a full car, make sure all passengers understand the importance of limiting their activity inside the vehicle to avoid diverting your attention from the road.
- Don’t try to multitask while driving – On days when your schedule is packed, it can be tempting to eat, put on makeup or do other activities while you’re in traffic in order to save time. However, doing anything that causes you to take your eyes off of what lies ahead or your hands off the wheel, even for a second, makes you far more susceptible to being involved in a crash. On the road, things can happen in a flash, so it’s essential to devote your full attention to the task at hand every time you’re in the driver’s seat.
- Look out for signs that other drivers may be distracted – In addition to doing everything in your power to keep yourself from becoming unfocused behind the wheel, our Bucks County distracted driving accident attorney also suggests familiarizing yourself with indicators that others on the road might be distracted. Some common ones include swerving for no apparent reason, changing speed erratically and running red lights or stop signs. If you notice a motorist doing any of these things, keep your distance from their car and, if possible, alter your route to get away from them.
Distracted driving has become a national epidemic. Fortunately, by adhering to these guidelines from our Bucks County distracted driving accident lawyer, you can greatly lower your chances of being involved in a car crash related to this cause.
Hurt By a Distracted Driver? Hire An Experienced Attorney
Even when those involved survive a distracted driving accident, it can permanently change the lives of the victims. Related injuries can cause lifelong pain and suffering, financial hardship, inability to work and much more for those affected by distracted driving incidents. In the unfortunate event that you or someone you love is injured due to another party’s failure to focus on the road, the Heslin Law Firm can help your family obtain the compensation you are rightfully owed.
After tirelessly fighting for the rights of car crash victims for more than 30 years, Mr. Gary Heslin has come to be known as the distracted driving accident lawyer Bucks County residents can always depend on. If you’d like to discuss the details of your case with Mr. Heslin in a free consultation, call our office at (215) 332-0300. And for more tips on keeping your family safe this summer, read our recent post on avoiding accidents and injuries at the beach. If you ever need us, we will be here to offer the compassionate, skillful legal assistance you deserve.