Being involved in a collision is never ideal, and even a lesser accident runs the unfortunate risk of placing your health in harm’s way. While the obvious preference would be to avoid a collision at all costs, this might not always be possible, but you may be able to reduce the chances of a crash by remaining aware and alert.
Unfortunately, you can’t force others to follow similar goals, and as you share Georgia roads with countless others, you may encounter some that appear distracted. However, spotting a distracted driver can be difficult at times, and such negligence can pose a major threat to your safety.
Various forms of driver distraction
Even a moment of inattention on the part of a driver can cause a vehicle to veer in and out of lanes or travel several hundred feet in the wrong direction. While there may be a multitude of actions that constitute distractions among drivers, these actions fall under three categories, which include:
- Visual: Any action that takes your eyes off the road, even if only for a moment, can be exceedingly dangerous. Examples of visual distractions include looking for something in the passenger seat or setting up a playlist on your phone.
- Manual: Manual distractions refer to an action that forces you to take one or both hands of the wheel while driving. These actions can range anywhere from eating or drinking, or even attempting to apply makeup or shave while driving.
- Cognitive: Actions that take a portion of your attention off the task at hand can be hazardous. Examples of cognitive distractions include carrying on a conversation with passengers or going over a list of daily objectives in your mind while driving.
There are some actions, such as reading or writing a text, that fall under all three categories, thus making them exceedingly hazardous. Should you encounter a distracted driver, you might have insufficient time to react and avoid collision, and you could suffer severe harm in the process.
What comes next?
Suffering serious injuries in a major collision can be devastating, and with the extensive costs of medical care, your accident could leave you facing a seemingly insurmountable financial hurdle. If the other driver is at fault, you may wish to pursue restitution in civil court, but the process can be complex. However, you could choose to consult with someone with experience in such matters, and in doing so, you could become better prepare to pursue the restitution you deserve through a personal injury claim.