Like most Massachusetts residents, your life may be very busy. If you’re married with children, you likely consider it a great challenge to find even a clear inch of space on your weekly calendar in which to write a new entry. Do you sometimes forget if you’re coming or going? If so, you’re definitely not alone. You may also know what it’s like to have a thousand and one thoughts swimming through your mind as you drive home from work, to the store or anywhere.
More than 60 percent of motor vehicle accidents are a result of drivers lost in thought at the time. Hopefully, this startling statistic is enough to raise your awareness toward potential risk for injury and remind you to save your daydreaming for non-driving moments. That’s all well and good unless, however, the problem is not your own daydreaming but another motorist’s. There’s not much (if anything) you can do about another person’s driving habits. Knowing how to recognize signs of distracted driving, and also where to turn for support if needed, may help.
Major driving distractions that are placing you at risk
While you obviously want to keep your eyes on the road as much as possible while driving, it may help keep you out of harm’s way to scan your surroundings on the lookout for possible distracted drivers in your area. The following types of distractions most often lead to injury:
- As mentioned earlier, daydreaming while driving often results in serious injuries or death. Sudden or erratic maneuvers, such as swerving to avoid hitting another vehicle, signify that a driver might be dealing with daydreaming.
- You are hopefully not one of many motorists who use cell phones while they drive. This is the second leading cause of vehicular-related deaths in the nation.
- Most drivers have sipped on drinks or eaten their lunches on the go from time to time. It may surprise you to learn that eating or drinking while driving is a major distraction that often results in collision.
- Smoking is not only bad for your health, it’s also a risk factor for personal injury while driving. Lighting a cigarette, dropping a hot ash, or reaching for an ashtray are all forms of distraction that can take your eyes off the road long enough to result in disaster.
If you regularly drive in highly congested traffic areas, your risk for injury increases. However, taking back, rural roads to reach your destination does not necessarily protect you, as many serious motor vehicle collisions take place on country roads as well. If a distracted driver causes you to land you in the hospital, you may be in for a long, challenging recovery. You have several options available to seek recovery for your losses, though.
Many Massachusetts accident victims whose injuries resulted from distracted drivers get in touch with personal injury attorneys to help them pursue justice in court.
