What Can You Do To Avoid Distractions While Driving?

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Attorney Grant Travis | Travis Law Firm | Personal Injury Attorney, DUI Defense Attorney, Criminal Defense Attorney | Serving Erie, Crawford, Warren & all of Northwestern PA | Call the Travis Law Firm at 814-277-2222 today!

Distracted driving continues to be one of the most common causes of traffic accidents in the United States. It is estimated that each day that 100 people are injured and nine people are killed in distracted driving accidents. Since April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, our Erie personal injury lawyer discusses ways that you can avoid distractions while driving.

Common Distractions That May Lead to a Tragic Car Crash

When you are driving, your focus should be on the road ahead of you and the task of driving. If you attempt to do anything else while driving, you place yourself and others at risk. It is a myth that you can multitask and still operate a motor vehicle as safely as you can when your full attention is on the task of driving.

Our brains are capable of bouncing back and forth between two tasks, but it does not process more than one thing at the same time. When a person is on a telephone call, the area of the brain that processes moving objects or images experiences a one-third decrease in activity. A driver can miss up to 50 percent of the activity looking out the windshield when the driver is on a telephone call.

Examples of distractions that could cause a car crash include:
  • Using a cell phone or other electronic devices
  • Grooming or changing clothes
  • Eating and drinking
  • Taking care of or interacting with other passengers, children, or pets
  • Reaching for objects that have fallen
  • Adjusting a GPS or other vehicle controls
  • Daydreaming and looking at things outside of the vehicle
  • Reading and writing
  • Texting while driving

If you allow yourself to be distracted while driving, you could be liable for a distracted driving accident. It is important that you avoid distractions while driving.

Tips for Avoiding Distractions While Driving

The best way to avoid a distracted driving accident is to focus on driving and nothing else. Some tips that may help you keep your focus on driving include:

  • Place your cell phone on “do not disturb” or silence the phone.
  • Do not use electronics while driving. If you need to reprogram your GPS or use an electronic device, pull over to a safe location.
  • Do not eat while driving. Eat a snack before leaving on a long drive or stop during the trip to eat.
  • Make sure you place items your children might need during the ride close enough for children to reach the items. If a child drops an item, do not try to reach for the item. Pull over if you need to care for a child.
  • Secure pets in a carrier or with a specialized safety harness to keep pets from moving around the vehicle.
  • Finish dressing and grooming before getting into a vehicle.

AAA Exchange has additional information for preventing distracted driving.

Filing a Claim for a Distracted Driving Accident in Pennsylvania

Filing an insurance claim with the insurance provider for the distracted driver is the first step in recovering compensation for your injuries and damages. However, the insurance company may deny liability or attempt to reduce the value of your claim significantly. An Erie distracted driving accident attorney can help you file your claim and protect your best interest throughout the claims process.

Don’t deal with an aggressive insurance adjuster. Let our legal team handle your claim and fight for maximum compensation.

Contact The Travis Law Firm at (800) 401-2066 to request a free legal consultation with our Erie distracted driving accident lawyer.