Distracted driving is a common cause of car accidents in New York, and although just as dangerous, it doesn’t always result because of texting. Many drivers believe they can take their eyes off the road or hands off the wheel for a couple of seconds without causing any harm. However, if you have been in a car accident caused by a distracted driver, you already know this isn’t the case. It only takes a quick glance from the road to cause an accident resulting in major injuries and untold damage. If a driver has caused an accident because he or she was distracted, even for a second, you can be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
The Dangers of Distracted Driving
Car accidents caused by distracted drivers are an increasingly worrisome problem for anyone who is on the road. In the United States, nine people are killed, and at least 1,153 are injured in distracted driving accidents every day. In fact, in 2012, 421,000 people were injured in car crashes involving a distracted driver, and in the year before that, one in five crashes that injured someone involved distracted driving. It is a problem that can result in extremely severe injuries and can be fatal, for all involved – even those drivers who are diligent and careful about paying attention to the road while they are driving.
Types of Distracted Driving
If you have been in a car accident, you may not be aware of the different ways the driver may have been distracted before causing the accident. In addition to texting and cell phone use, which Attorney Rob Greenstein and other representatives have worked on to establish stricter legislation, other types of distracted driving are equally as dangerous. Eating while driving can cause the driver to take his or her eyes off the road, and other passengers in the car such as children or friends can distract the driver’s mind from driving safely and carefully.
Rubbernecking May Be Responsible for Your Accident
You’ve likely seen it happen many times while you are driving. An accident occurs in another lane, or you notice police and emergency vehicles around someone else. While our inquisitive natures might cause us to rubberneck, this can be a form of distracted driving that ends up resulting in your own accident. Drivers who crash into others simply because they are rubbernecking and staring at something other than the road before them can be held responsible for the accidents they end up causing.
Greenstein & Milbauer, LLP Can Help
While distracted driving car accidents may seem simple enough to navigate on your own, especially if the other driver outright admits to being distracted, receiving compensation for your injuries isn’t always so easy. You need an experienced team on your side, which can investigate and establish whether the accident was indeed due to another driver’s negligence.
If you have been in a car accident that may have been caused by a distracted driver, Greenstein & Milbauer can help. Contact us online or call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) for a free consultation.