The number one factor in causing accidents is the drivers’ behavior. A distracted driver, either by a cell phone or another person in the car, can easily cause an accident. Drivers under the influence of alcohol are also responsible for many accidents.
However, drunk drivers are far more likely to be involved in accidents that cause injury or death than distracted drivers. These accidents are usually the result of a driver who is not paying attention and crashes into another vehicle.
The most dangerous aspect of drinking and driving is that the consequences of an accident can be devastating. Losing a loved one is a painful experience, and the trauma of being involved in an accident can be so overwhelming that people will avoid driving altogether.
The choice to drink and drive is a personal decision that should not be taken lightly. If you choose to drink and drive, it is important to remember that you are more likely to be involved in an accident than if you were not drinking.
Distracted driving has become a serious issue over the past few years. It is quickly becoming one of the leading causes of car crashes in the United States. It is widely believed that up to 38.1 percent of all car accidents in South Carolina can be attributed to distracted driving, and that number will only rise in the coming years.
Distracted driving is a driver preoccupied with something other than driving while operating a motor vehicle. Examples of distractions include: talking on a cell phone or texting, looking at email; eating or drinking; shaving or applying makeup; reading maps; putting on jewelry, adjusting music or radio settings, etc.
In 2021, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) attributed 38.1% of all fatal accidents to distracted driving in South California. This number was the highest in all of the United States. Distracted driving-related to smart phones and other electronic devices has been linked to more than one-quarter of all traffic fatalities in the state. Additionally, distracted drivers are more likely to be male 70% and young 40% under age 35.
From 2015 to 2020, there were 3,071 fatalities attributed to distracted driving in South California. While the number of deaths declined by 2% from 2020 to 2021, it was still high. The number of pedestrian fatalities attributed to distracted driving increased during this time frame by over 14%.
In addition to the financial costs of these accidents, other serious consequences can arise from being involved in one of these collisions. A driver seriously injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver may have difficulty obtaining compensation for their injuries through the court system because they could not show how their injuries were caused by the distraction they experienced while driving.
In addition, if you were injured while riding as a passenger, you may experience common injuries after a car accident, for instance, broken bones, internal bleeding, neck or back pain, and whiplash. These injuries may not surface immediately but may be very painful over time.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident caused by someone who was distracted, you should speak with an attorney immediately. A lawyer can help you figure out who was at fault and what your legal rights are moving forward. Even if you were not directly responsible for causing the accident, you may still have legal obligations as a driver that could impact your financial security afterward.
