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National Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Waukegan Car Accident Attorneys

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness month. During this month, we turn our attention to one of the deadliest forms of driver negligence that occurs on American roads every day – distracted driving. Most people are aware of the dangers of drunk driving, drowsy driving, and driving without regard for the posted traffic signals. But we are only beginning to truly see how dangerous distracted driving can be. Distracted driving is nothing new – as long as people have been driving cars, people have been driving while eating, drinking, grooming, and having animated conversations. But with the rise of cell phones, distracted driving has become a much greater problem on our roadways. Now, most drivers have constant access to their contacts and the internet, and driving down the road with a constant ringing or buzzing from one's phone can be incredibly distracting.

Hands-free devices can make it easier for drivers to multitask, but text messaging, speaking on the phone without a hands-free device, and inputting GPS data still occur every day. These behaviors put drivers at risk of being involved in collisions with others, which can result in serious, even deadly, injuries for all parties involved. If you are involved in a car accident because of a distracted driver, you could be entitled to receive monetary compensation for your damages through a personal injury claim.

Distracted Driving Statistics

Despite only recently being recognized as a prevalent cause of car accidents, distracted driving is fairly well-documented. Some statistics about distracted driving to keep in mind include:

  • 60 percent of accidents involving teenage drivers can be attributed to distracted driving;
  • In 2010, 20 percent of car accidents where victims were injured were attributed to distracted driving;
  • More than 1,000 people are injured every day in accidents caused by distracted drivers;
  • 31 percent of drivers ages 18-64 reported reading or sending email or text messages while driving in the past month; and
  • Every day, nine people are killed in car accidents attributed to distracted drivers. Younger drivers are more likely to use their cell phones while driving. If you are a parent of a teen driver, make it a point to routinely discuss the dangers of cell phone use while driving. Show your child the statistics related to distracted driving accidents and engage in an ongoing dialogue about safe, responsible driving.

Remove Distractions when You Are Driving

Most of the time, distracted driving is not a conscious choice that motorists make. A driver might hear his or her phone go off, then glance at it quickly on a straight stretch of road. He or she might even decide to respond to the message at the next stoplight. After all, the car is stopped at a red light, so what is the harm?

A lot can happen in the seconds a driver's eyes are off the road, even when his or her car is not moving. For example, another driver can ram into his or her car from taking a turn too widely or speeding through an intersection. This is why you should always completely eliminate the distractions in your car when you are driving. Put your phone on the passenger seat, in a purse, or on the floor. If you know that you will be distracted by any notifications it receives, set the phone to silent or put it into the glove compartment where you cannot reach it until you reach your destination.

If you are an iPhone user, consider downloading the Cell-Control app to block your phone's notifications from all other apps while the car is in motion. When the app is turned on, any text messages you receive will automatically return to their senders with a message stating that you are driving and you will receive their messages when you park.

Work with an Experienced Lake County Personal Injury Law Firm

If you have been injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver, you could be entitled to recover monetary compensation for your damages. To learn more, schedule a legal consultation with a member of our team at Salvi & Maher, LLP today. Our team of Lake County personal injury attorneys can answer any questions you have about the personal injury claim process and help you seek the compensation you deserve. Do not wait to make the call – contact our firm today to schedule your case evaluation.

Contact a Lake County Vehicle Accident Attorney Who is Ready to Help You

If you or a member of your family has been injured in a motor vehicle accident, contact our office. Call 847-662-3303 to set up a free initial consultation at one of our four convenient locations. There is no risk because we only collect fees if you collect compensation. With offices in Libertyville, Waukegan, Richmond, and Chicago, we represent clients in Lake County, Cook County, DuPage County, and McHenry County.

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