Leonard S. Slavit | February 12, 2025
Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of auto accidents, with an NHTSA study concluding that up to 80% of all collisions involve some form of distraction. While there are plenty of reasons this might happen, there are a few common distractions that tend to emerge over and over again. Here are seven of the most common distractions seen in distracted driving accidents:
- Use of cell phone or other electronic device
The most common distraction seen in modern vehicles comes in the form of the cell phone, which offers a variety of potential diversions like email, texting, or social media. Other electronic devices, like programming a GPS, can also be extremely distracting. - Reaching for something in the vehicle
A surprising number of accidents occur when people are reaching for something inside their vehicle, often to pick up something that has fallen on the floor. This can lead to them taking their eyes off the road and their hands off the wheel, dramatically increasing the risks of an accident. - Distractions outside the vehicle
Not all distractions come from inside of the vehicle, with people getting distracted by something interesting around them. In some morbid cases, accidents can be caused by “rubbernecking,” people paying so much attention to accidents they see on the road that they get into a collision themselves. - Eating or drinking
With people often feeling crunched for time, it is not unusual for them to eat or drink on the go. However, this type of multitasking can be incredibly dangerous, since their hands and attention will be occupied, limiting their ability to respond to dangerous situations that can lead to accidents. - Makeup and personal grooming
By the same token, it is not a good idea to put on makeup, shave, or take care of other personal grooming issues while driving. These things can be complicated even when you dedicate all your attention to them, but they can be disastrous if done by someone behind the wheel of a moving vehicle. - Adjusting the radio or climate control
Many people think of things like changing the temperature in your car, or adjusting the radio station, as innocuous tasks that don’t even count as distractions. However, even the brief amount of time taken on these simple tasks can be enough to cause an accident. - Dealing with children or unruly passengers
Other people can also be distracting, especially if they are acting rowdy, potentially increasing the risks of an accident. This is a problem that parents may need to deal with if they have young children, but it can also be a problem for designated drivers who need to handle their intoxicated passengers.
If you or someone you love has been injured due to someone else’s negligence, seeking the advice from an attorney experienced in personal injury law will help assure you get the compensation you deserve. The lawyers at Levine and Slavit, PLLC assist clients in New York City and Long Island in obtaining the damages they need to cope with being the victim of negligence. For more information or to schedule a consultation with our New York personal injury lawyers, call (212) 687 2777 or fill out our contact form.