Distracted driving in North Carolina is an issue that many people do not realize the seriousness of until they are in a motor vehicle collision. Texting, surfing the internet, playing games and engaging in other distractions while in the driver’s seat is dangerous and a leading cause of deaths on the roads.
Drivers are vulnerable to distractions. Some factors make certain groups of motorists more susceptible to them than others. Here are a few facts about distracted driving all motorists should keep in mind.
Distracted driving collisions are increasingly common
Collisions involving distracted motorists are not planned. When they occur, victims can end up with many different types of injuries that can affect their physical, mental and financial well-being. Some circumstances cause life-threatening trauma in which the victims and their families must rely on continuous medical care and the loss of their standard of living for the rest of their lives.
Victims often bear the brunt of crashes
Injuries in distracted driving collisions usually range in severity and can affect any part of the body. Even low-speed crashes involving distractions can cause serious trauma and wrongful death, leaving victims and surviving family members to experience a loss in wages, earning capacity, medical costs and a myriad of financial challenges.
Some people are not fortunate enough to fully recover and return to their former way of life. Victims of accidents that involve negligent, distracted motorists have the right to file a claim for compensation for the pain and suffering, medical expenses (future costs related to accident injuries) and other damages they may have incurred as a result of the ordeal.
Due to the uncertainty of car crashes, especially those involving negligent motorists, it is best not to use distractions while driving, encourage friends and family to remain focused on operating their vehicles responsibly, and to remember that even the smallest distraction can lead to catastrophic events and the loss of life.
