Drivers nationwide have been made aware that driving while distracted is a risk to themselves and others. However, thousands of people still choose to engage in distracted driving behaviors each year. Distracted driving continues to be a leading cause of accident-related injuries and deaths, with over 3,100 distracted driving fatalities in 2020, according to the National Safety Council (NSC).
Cell phone usage is one of the more popular forms of distracted driving in today’s society, but distracted driving is defined as any behavior that prevents you from focusing fully on the act of driving.
The three types of distracted driving are:
- Visual: Distractions that require you to take your eyes off the road (e.g., reading or texting).
- Manual: Distractions that require you to take your hands off the wheel (e.g., reaching back to grab something out of the back seat).
- Cognitive: Distractions that require you to take your mind off driving (e.g., talking to passengers).
Filing a lawsuit against a distracted driver
If you are the victim of an accident, you may file a lawsuit against the distracted driver who caused your accident. In Virginia and other at-fault car accident states, if you can prove another driver is liable for your accident, you can recover damages.
A personal injury attorney in your area can help you establish that the other driver was negligent, and that the other driver’s negligence caused your accident. Police reports, witness and expert testimony, medical records and other evidence can be used to build your case.