3 Types Of Distracted Driving that Cause Accidents - Personal Injury Lawyer Needed!

Multitasking is an unavoidable part of life sometimes, but others multitasking while driving may cause you to need Personal Injury Accident Lawyer. 

Since technology has evolved and continues to revolutionize daily life, people are distracted all the time. Yes, unfortunately, even while driving, people are frequently distracted, attempting to complete more than one thing at a time, unaware of the danger they are creating.

Distracted driving accidents have proved to be one of the major causes of collisions. They happen because the driver was distracted by either the phone call or text they have just received or the cup of coffee that they want to finish before reaching work. According to the National Highway Safety department, distracted driving caused roughly 424,000 recorded accident related injuries in 2013 alone! This is just a rough figure; the actual figure may be much higher.

Distracted Driving: 3 Different Kinds:

·         Cognitive Distraction

Cognitive or mental distraction occurs when the driver’s mind is occupied with either a personal or work related issue. Talking to another passenger or arguing as well as fighting in the car are examples of cognitive distraction. Listening to a podcast or being preoccupied with your favorite radio station can even be cognitive distractors too!

·         Visual Distraction

Visual distraction occurs when the driver’s focus is shifted from the road to their surroundings. This includes attending to kids or pets in the car or trying to fix their GPS device, or looking at anything other than the road in front of them.

·         Manual Distraction

It is when the driver takes both his hands off of the wheel for mostly eating or drinking in the car, adjusting the radio or trying to get something from their bag or wallet.

Texting and driving is the most dangerous as it involves all three types.

Keeping your focus on the road is easier said than done because of the lifestyle we follow. Here are some tips to help you improve your life and save it too:

• Switch off your cell phone while driving, even if you are expecting an important phone call. After all, nothing is more important than your life.
• Use a hands-free device if it is extremely important for you to stay in touch. These can be just as dangerous as receiving a normal phone call. We suggest you keep it for emergencies only.
• Eat before you drive or wait till you pull over some place nearby.
• Do not drive when sleepy or tired
• Do not drive without wearing a seatbelt. If you are traveling with kids or pets make sure they are wearing a seatbelt. If at any point you must attend to their needs, pull over on the side before you do so.

Driving and Multi-Tasking are Not Recommended in Any Case:

It might be important to receive that phone call or reprogram your GPS for the fourth or fifth time. But if you are able to resist the temptation and focus on the road ahead, you will be able to react to the unexpected and will be able to avoid accidents.

Butler Vines and Babb is a leading law firm in Knoxville TN, providing a multi-disciplined practice including business and defense law. Butler Vines and Babb is also skilled and has significant experience in Medical Malpractice Law, Birth Injury, and other Personal Injury Law, including Trucking Accident Law. Contact us today at www.bvblaw.com or call 866-701-9631.

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3 Types Of Distracted Driving that Cause Accidents - Personal Injury Lawyer Needed!

The 6 Most Dangerous Things Drivers Do

According to National Highway safety data, numerous accident fatalities in the U.S have decreased but the number of deaths due to traffic accidents is still high. Many people involved in accidents refuse to take responsibility.

Here are a few things that you can do to avoid #TruckAccidents or accidents in general.

1.  Don’t Drink and Drive

We all know when a person is drunk their ability to drive is impaired as well as the ability to react quickly and accurately. If you are planning to drink at a party or otherwise, please refrain from driving, drunk driving is not only illegal but could lead to #accidents. Make sure you have arrangements made for someone to drive should the need arise.

2.  Don’t Drive When Tired

When you are driving while tired, it is as dangerous as driving drunk. When your body is tired it will try and get the sleep needed one way or another. If you get 6 hours of sleep or less a night it triples your chance of crashing due to drowsiness. If you must drive and have no other options at least try stopping to rest a while before resuming to drive. Drivers who are sleepy have a higher tendency of crashing specifically when traveling on high-speed roads. These types of high-speed crashes can lead to serious injuries.

See here some stats from www.drowseydriving.org that might surprise you!

Who is at risk?

• Sleep-related crashes are most common in young people, especially men, adults with children and shift workers
• Adults between 18-29 are much more likely to drive while drowsy compared to other age groups (71% vs. 30-64, 52% vs. 65+, 19%).
• Men are more likely than women to drive while drowsy (56% vs. 45%) and are almost twice as likely as women to fall asleep while driving (22% vs. 12%).
• Adults with children in the household are more likely to drive drowsy than those without children (59% vs. 45%).
• Shift workers are more likely than those who work a regular daytime schedule to drive to or from work drowsy at least a few days a month (36% vs. 25%).

3.  Speed

Speeding on the road is the highest leading cause of accidents next to drunk driving. If you are driving at a higher speed, chances of crashing into another vehicle become increased. Speed limits are there for a reason. When a driver is driving above or below the recommended speed limit, there are high chances of accidents as opposed to driving within a given speed limit.

4.  Distracted Driving

When you are distracted by other things, such as talking on the phone or searching for items in your vehicle, you increase your chances of being in an accident. Talking and texting while driving or eating and drinking while driving is not recommended because it takes the eyes and mind away from the road and what’s going on around him.

5. Reckless Driving

When people are driving carelessly and recklessly they increase their chances of crashes. Reckless driving includes passing on the right, accelerating and braking suddenly, swerving and weaving in and out of lanes. Many states consider speeding 20 mph over the posted limit as reckless driving. If your actions on the road are different and more drastic than those of other drivers, you are more likely to cause and be in an accident.

6. Wear a Seat Belt

During high-speed crashes and rollovers, seatbelts and airbags that work in conjunction help prevent passenger ejection. This is a no brainer and wearing a seat belt is not only necessary for your own safety but the law!

Butler Vines and Babb is a leading law firm in Knoxville TN, providing a multi-disciplined practice including business and defense law. Butler Vines and Babb is also skilled and has significant experience in Medical Malpractice Law, Birth Injury, and other Personal Injury Law, including Trucking Accident Law. Contact us today at www.bvblaw.com or call 866-701-9631.

Please reference BV&B's content disclaimer (located in this channel's profile description) in regard to this shared content.

The 6 Most Dangerous Things Drivers Do

4 Simple Steps to Avoid Truck Accidents

Large trucks have many characteristics that create a greater risk of accidents. Compared to passenger vehicles, trucks weigh more and require more stopping space. They can easily roll and ride over smaller vehicles. However, these aren’t the only causes for increased danger. Research shows that at least half of commercial vehicle accidents occur due to the activities of passenger vehicle drivers. Drivers can greatly reduce their risk of having a truck accident by taking the following steps.

1. Respect the distance

Passenger vehicle drivers should always make sure there is more than enough space in between them and a truck. Driving closer to a larger vehicle limits visibility. Drivers who do not maintain the distance between other vehicles may fail to see approaching threats, such as traffic, obstacles, or other road conditions. Drivers should ensure they have time to react to risky situations by leaving reasonable distance in between.

Passenger vehicle drivers should also be vigilant enough to maintain distance when passing in front of trucks. A truck may require 90% more space to stop than a passenger vehicle does. Drivers who cut close in front of trucks may take away this dangerous space.

2. Sustain visibility

Trucks have larger blind spots than most vehicles. The passenger side of a truck is where the worst blind spot occurs, so drivers should always pass from the driver’s side. They should avoid staying behind the truck or in the nearby lanes behind the cab doors. Drivers can check their visibility through truck’s mirrors. If the driver’s face is not detectable, the passenger vehicle is most likely in a blind spot.

3. Clear the highway

Passenger vehicles should make sure to leave enough room when pulling over on highways and other such roads. Accidents involving parked vehicles and truck drivers (who were for a moment distracted or incapacitated) are not rare. Passenger vehicle drivers should pull as far over as possible to reduce the risk of a #TruckAccident.

4. Anticipate turns

Drivers should be cautious enough to avoid truck related accidents at intersections. Trucks must turn wide or even use multiple lanes to complete turns, and other drivers should foresee this. If a vehicle is turning in one direction, one should not pass on the same side. Drivers also should avoid following closely during turns, specifically because truck drivers have restricted rear visibility.

Drivers heading towards an intersection with a truck turning should be careful. Judging how quickly a truck is moving or how much space it will need or use can be challenging. When possible, vehicle drivers should allow the truck to complete its maneuver before they pass, turn, or enter the intersection.

Butler Vines and Babb is a leading law firm in Knoxville TN, providing a multi-disciplined practice including business and defense law. Butler Vines and Babb is also skilled and has significant experience in Medical Malpractice Law, Birth Injury, and other Personal Injury Law, including Trucking Accident Law. Contact us today at www.bvblaw.com or call 866-701-9631.

Please reference BV&B's content disclaimer (located in this channel's profile description) in regard to this shared content.

Truck Accident Prevention Tips - Knoxville Truck Accident Lawyer