Distracted Driving: Common Types and the #1 Culprit
Distracted driving, by definition, is when a driver engages in another activity that takes their attention away from driving. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that there are three main types of distracted driving:
- Visual: taking your eyes off the road. Examples may include:
- looking at street signs, addresses, or other items along the road
- looking at a passenger while in conversation
- searching for something in the vehicle, etc.
- Manual: taking your hands off the wheel. Examples may include:
- applying makeup
- eating
- adjusting the radio or temperature controls
- passing items to a passenger
- restraining a pet, etc.
- Cognitive: taking your mind off driving Examples may include:
- experiencing a high state of stress or anxiety while driving
- listening to a distracting phone conversation
- being in a state of fatigue when driving, etc.
While these are all common causes of distracted driving, mobile phone use is unquestionably the most significant cause of distracted driving. 97% of Americans own cell phones, and 85% own a type of smartphone, according to Pew Research. Whether a driver is using their phone for navigation, using a music app, having a phone conversation, texting, or searching the web, cell phones are incredibly distracting items that most everyone has in easy reach. Unfortunately, mobile phone use can dip into all three types of distracted driving, stealing attention away visually, manually, and cognitively from the road that’s right ahead of a driver.
The Devastating Effects of Distraction
Distracted driving is a common cause of traffic accidents — from minor fender benders to serious, devastating crashes on major roadways in Las Vegas. This widespread issue has led the Nevada Department of Transportation to report statistics specifically about car crashes caused by distracted drivers.
In the 2021 Nevada Traffic Safety Crash Facts report, Nevada DOT reports that distracted driving crashes make up 3.7 percent of Nevada’s total car accident fatalities. In Nevada, between 2015 and 2019, law enforcement saw a total of 59 deaths and 58 fatal crashes due to distracted driving. 50% of those accidents occurred on “urban” roads such as those used daily by residents of Las Vegas. In that same period, males ages 21 to 30 were the largest reported age groups of at-fault drivers in fatal distracted driving crashes in Nevada.
When it came to high-risk times, Saturday was the day when most distracted driving accidents occurred, and November was the most frequently reported month. Unlike drunk driving or drowsy driving, distracted driving happens most often during the day when roads are busy, increasing the risk for a potential accident.
These facts prove that distracted driving happens during peak traffic hours, and dangerous drivers can be hard to avoid — even if you drive with caution and attention.
Could Distracted Driving Have Contributed to Your Accident?
If you’re searching for help after a crash that has just recently happened, it’s common not to know the full details behind what happened, what caused the accident, and why you became a victim. This uncertainty and your search for answers is something our distracted driving accident lawyers see with all of our victims. It’s essential to think about the events leading up to your crash — not just the crash itself — to determine who is responsible for the injuries, pain, and financial stress you’re experiencing now.
Because cell phone use causes distracted driving most often, our team will commonly request the driver’s cell phone records. If a phone company or the driver does not offer records voluntarily, our distracted driving accident attorneys can file a subpoena. This formal, written order compels the company by law to cooperate with our request.
If text messages, app usage, or a phone call occurred at the time of the accident, we could illustrate that the driver was using their phone when the crash occurred. We can show they were distracted visually, manually, or cognitively from their responsibility to operate a vehicle safely.
Other instances of distracted driving may be more apparent at the time of the crash. For example, a pet may be loose in the vehicle at the time of the crash. Or, witnesses may be able to attest to distracted behavior. To expertly build a solid case when we believe distracted driving was involved, our car accident attorneys leave no stone unturned when looking for sources of evidence
How to Seek Justice After a Car Accident
The aftermath of an accident is disorienting, but it’s essential you contact a distracted driving accident attorney right away. If a driver’s disregard for your safety injured you or killed a loved one, you deserve to seek justice, and that journey should start as soon as possible. Our team of experienced attorneys is here to help you every step of the way.
Car accidents happen in just seconds. Accurately analyzing and reconstructing the events that led to them is critical for helping to build the most robust case for you. Official police reports, your own video or photos from the scene, eyewitness accounts, or local security or traffic camera footage can be invaluable during this process.
If we determine that distracted driving was a cause of the accident, our Las Vegas distracted driving accident lawyers work to prove it. We will gather key evidence from sources that show the other driver was driving without careful attention to the road.
A distracted driver has likely driven in this careless way before. We’ll uncover acts that point to their dangerous and habitual behavior. If the driver has a history of traffic infractions, we use the evidence to illustrate the driver’s propensity for breaking traffic laws.
Other ways our Las Vegas car accident attorneys help you build your case include:
- Determining the value of your damages. From car repairs and medical bills to emotional suffering or the wrongful death of a loved one, we help you determine the full and fair compensation you deserve for the pain you’ve endured.
- Drawing from their experience in other Las Vegas distracted driving cases. Choosing a personal injury attorney who has experience with distracted driving cases is essential. Their previous cases and knowledge of traffic laws will help them understand how to approach your case to achieve the best outcome for you.
- Standing up to the distracted driver’s attorney and their insurance company. A distracted driving defendant, their attorney, and their insurance company will do everything they can to avoid paying you the fair compensation you deserve. A personal injury attorney will know their tactics and make sure you — the victim — are never silenced.
- Acting as a trusted, confidential legal advocate. Having a trusted lawyer on your side is critical to protecting your rights. You don’t have to be a legal expert or skilled communicator to seek justice. They will give you the facts and offer advice based on what’s best for you. They will speak for you to provide you with the strongest and most compelling representation.
Choose Henness & Haight – The Top Car Accident Law Firm in Las Vegas
No matter what caused your accident, you deserve a chance to reclaim stability after enduring needless pain and suffering. Our aim is never greed or retaliation. Our distracted driving accident attorneys only seek justice in the form of full and fair compensation to cover the financial loss, injuries, and emotional turmoil you’ve experienced.
If you’ve been the victim of a car accident, call us right away. Our Las Vegas attorneys are ready to help. Learn more about our Las Vegas car accident attorneys and see some of our case results, or contact us for a completely free, no-obligation consultation.
FAQs about Distracted Driving Accidents
Yes. Our team has worked with victims of car accidents for over 25 years. We have helped Las Vegas residents like you regain hope after drunk drivers, distracted drivers, reckless drivers, or commercial vehicle drivers have upended their lives after a devastating crash. No matter what caused the accident, our mission is the same: to give you the help you need and deserve right now. To see some of the settlements we’ve reached for previous clients, view our results.
Car repairs or a totaled vehicle will be added to your account of compensatory damages. This is the total sum of money we seek to cover your past and future medical expenses, pain, suffering, lost wages, and more. If a settlement is reached, the defendant’s insurance company will be responsible for awarding the total amount we have determined through negotiations. With this settlement, you should be able to get out from under the debt of hospital bills and a lack of income, as well as purchase a new vehicle to replace your vehicle that was lost.
Never admit guilt or attempt to argue with the other driver at the scene of the accident. Verbal agreements or admissions of guilt can damage your chance for a successful lawsuit afterward. Review our recent article, “Watch What You Say After a Car Accident: Here’s Why” for more detail about what to say and what not to say to the driver, their insurance company, and their lawyer.
Take full advantage of your legal representation by directing all communication to your lawyer(s). Anything you say or do — over the phone, on social media, in an email, or in-person — could be used against you. It’s best to check with your attorney before ever communicating with a third party during a lawsuit or posting publicly about the accident or your injuries on your social media account.
In a case involving a car accident, the other driver’s negligence must have played a role in the accident. In order to collect compensation, the plaintiff (you, the victim filing the lawsuit) has a “burden” to prove that the other driver acted negligently and that the other person’s negligence caused their injuries and damages.
Every case is different, so finding evidence that points to distracted driving varies depending on the circumstances of your accident.
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