Distracted Driving Accidents: Defining Distracted Driving

Driving is a necessary part of most people’s day-to-day lives. But that doesn’t make it any less stressful for some when heading out onto the road to wherever they’re headed. And their stress isn’t unwarranted—especially with distracted driving accidents becoming all too common with the advent of modern telecommunication and technologies. While most people don’t consider themselves distracted drivers, a third of distracted drivers often describe themselves as very safe behind the wheel.

So, what exactly constitutes distracted driving, especially when it comes to litigation for distracted driving accidents?

Eating or Drinking

Eating and drinking while driving—whether you’re sipping some morning coffee from a sealed cup or munching on a post-work snack—is the most common form of distracted driving. Though it can be tempting to take a quick sip or bite, anything that pulls your attention away from the road and your hands from the wheel can be considered distracted driving in the case of a distracted driving accident.

Using Navigation Systems

Navigation systems have been a fantastic technological advancement that ensures that we always know how to get where we’re going. However, regardless of whether your navigation system is built into your vehicle or you use an app like Google Maps, tinkering with and spending too much time with your eyes on the map is also considered a form of distracted driving.

Texting-and-Driving & General Use of Electronics

You’ve likely heard of the dangers of texting and driving throughout your years of driving, and those warnings remain true today. Texting and driving is one of the most frequent causes of distracted driving accidents and often results in fatal crashes.

Miscellaneous Distractions

As mentioned above, almost anything that pulls your attention away from the safe driving and handling of your vehicle can be considered distracted driving. Other all-too-common causes of distracted driving accidents include:

• Excessive talking with other passengers
• Excessively loud music
• Grooming, such as fixing hair, adjusting clothes, and personal hygiene

Find Your Just Compensation in the Event of a Distracted Driving Accident

Using innovative video technology to defend the circumstances of your case accurately, your best bet at receiving fair compensation, if you are involved in a distracted driving accident, is to give Maurer Law Firm PLLC a call today at 845-896-5295—located in Fishkill, NY.

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