It is easy to spot drivers who are not paying full attention to the road. Distracted driving is major concern in New Jersey and across the country. Numerous car accidents result from such behavior, killing thousands and injuring hundreds of thousands every year.
Distracted driving is considered performing tasks or focusing on things that remove one’s attention from the road. Experts classify distractions into three different categories. These are:
- Manual
- Visual
- Cognitive
Manual distractions involve anything that takes one’s hands from the driver’s wheel. These might include texting, pushing buttons and reaching for things in the car. Visual distractions include anything that take one’s eyes off the road — such as reading, texting and grooming. Cognitive distractions are anything that removes one’s mental focus from the task at hand — such as thinking about things one has to accomplish or worrying about something stressful that is upcoming.
When car accidents are caused by distracted drivers, those negatively impacted may have legal recourse. Personal injury or wrongful death claims may be filed in a New Jersey civil court in an attempt to seek compensation for one’s losses. If it can be proved in court that the responsible party was, in fact, distracted at the time of the crash, he or she may be held liable for the incident and ordered to pay a monetary judgment to the victim or — in the event of fatality — his or her surviving family members. Proving such negligence can be difficult, but with the assistance of an experienced attorney, it is possible.
Source: enddd.org, “Distracted Driving Facts: Learn the Facts About Distracted Driving“, Accessed on Nov. 20, 2016