Experienced, Reputable Denver Lawyers

Experienced, Reputable Denver Lawyers

Attorneys at Beem & Isley P.C.

3 types of distractions that impair drivers

On Behalf of | May 14, 2019 | Motor Vehicle Accidents

Distracted driving is a hot topic because more than 1,000 people are injured each day in this country due to a driver who isn’t paying full attention to the road. This is one of the easiest things that drivers can prevent, thus making accidents all the more tragic when due to a driver’s choice to splinter attention between the road and other things.

Many people don’t realize exactly what happens when a driver is distracted. There are actually three types of distractions that they might encounter when behind the wheel. Each of these is dangerous in its own way.

Visual distractions

Visual distractions make you take your eyes off the road. This makes it impossible to watch where you are going or what is going on around you. Even something as simple as looking at billboards can serve as a visual distraction. Reading a text or looking at your phone can also do this.

Cognitive distractions

Cognitive distractions take your mind off of driving. You might be caught up in your own thoughts or thinking about what you need to do when you get home. Your phone can also be a cognitive distraction if you are reading messages or having a serious conversation while you drive.

Manual distractions

Manual distractions require you to take your hands off the steering wheel. Changing the radio, manipulating GPS, eating food or typing on your phone are all manual forms of distractions. These are dangerous because you might not be able to react to situations around your vehicle appropriately.

Horrors of accidents

Even if you remember these points and avoid them while you drive, other drivers do not. Distracted driving crashes lead to serious consequences for the victims. Most people cannot cover all the expenses that come with these types of wrecks. They may involve considerable medical care, which means expensive bills. When you are in the hospital or recovering from the wreck, you may not be able to go to work. This means that your income is dropping at the same time as your expenses are increasing.

In an effort to combat the financial impacts of the crash, you might opt to seek compensation from the driver who was distracted. Getting your case together in Denver and moving forward must be done quickly since there are specific time limits in place for personal injury claims.

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