In the United States, car accidents are one of the leading causes of death. Negligence is a significant factor in car accidents. Contact a West Palm Beach car lawyer immediately if you or someone you know gets injured in a car accident caused by negligence.
The Dangers of Distracted Driving
It is no secret that distracted driving is dangerous. Every day, people are killed or seriously injured in car accidents caused by distracted drivers. Despite these dangers, many continue to ignore regulations and engage in activities taking their attention away from the road.
One of the most common forms of distraction is texting while driving. When a person sends or reads a Short Message Service (SMS) in the form of texts, they use five seconds of their time on their devices instead of the road—driving at a relatively high speed while texting is going blind. It also impairs your driving ability even after putting your phone down.
Other common forms of distracted driving include:
- Talking on the phone.
- Eating or drinking.
- Fiddling with navigation systems.
- Adjusting the radio system.
Even something as seemingly unconscious as daydreaming and fantasizing can take your mind off the task of driving and lead to an accident.
The best way to avoid being involved in a distracted driving accident is to keep off distractions while behind the wheel. Put your phone away, wait until you’ve stopped to eat or drink, and stay focused on the road ahead. If you must use a navigation system or adjust the radio, pull over into a safe location first. And if you find yourself starting to drift off, take a break. Pull over at a rest stop or switch drivers.
The Dangers of Reckless Driving
Reckless driving is another form of negligence. It can include speeding, weaving in and out of traffic, tailgating, running red lights, and making unsafe lane changes.
Reckless driving is dangerous because it increases the chance of an accident occurring. The accident is often much more severe than one that happens under normal circumstances due to recklessness, creating a situation where the driver has less control over their vehicle.
Steps to Take if Involved in an Accident Caused by Negligence
If you get involved in an accident because of someone else’s negligence, there are a few steps to take to protect your rights:
- Seek medical attention for any injuries you’ve sustained.
- Gather information about the accident, including witnesses’ names and contact information.
- Take photos of the accident scene and any damage to your vehicle.
- File a police report and contact a qualified car accident lawyer to help recover damages from the negligent party.
No one ever wants to be in a car accident, but unfortunately, they happen all too often. Unfortunately, if you get involved in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may wonder about your options. Get an experienced auto accident lawyer to understand the legal process to get the compensation you deserve with the proper rules and regulations.
