Car Accidents: When They Are Avoidable

With all the driving in today's world, it is no surprise that car accidents are among the most frequent of all accidents. The effects of a car accident can be extensive and life-changing—and it can happen in an instant. While a plethora of potential causes exists for these accidents, their main causes include fatigue, negligence, DUI and DWI, driving errors, and distracted driving.

Car accidents usher in a whole host of problems—material and non-material. Bills regarding medical, property repair, vehicle repair, and other needs can make the financial strain overwhelming. However, the emotional impact of a car accident is often an even greater blow. Whether the victim is a family member or a friend, dealing with the death, physical handicap, or other injuries resulting from a car accident can cause tremendous suffering. The trauma incurred by some car accidents can be avoidable, and drivers should learn how they may remain safe on the road and keep themselves—and those around them—from unnecessary injury.

Distracted Driving

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) showed that in 2009, distracted driving was involved in one fifth of all damaging car accidents. Distracted drivers may, at times, be more dangerous than DUI or DWI drivers. According to a 2008 report from NHTSA, 16% of deadly car accidents were caused by distracted drivers.

Texting is a leading cause of distracted driving. Texting is a common form of communication, and its use is on the rise. Over 196 billion texts were sent in June of 2011, according to CTIA, and it is only reasonable to assume that many of these texts were sent by people behind the wheel.

Texting has been shown to be a leading cause of distracted driving, as it incorporates three of the driver's important functions. First, the driver has to read the message. By doing so, the driver is no longer watching the road. Second, when a driver responds to a text, he or she is physically doing two different things at one time. Some people may think they are good at multi-tasking—driving is not a good time to find out. Third, texting while driving is mentally distracting to the driver because the focus is placed more on the texting conversation than on traffic. The driver becomes less alert to his or her responsibilities behind the wheel and therefore has a much slower reaction time in a sudden driving crisis.

Texting and talking on a cell phone while driving are leading causes in avoidable accidents. There are ways to communicate while driving. Talking over a blue tooth is one option. Some cars have a built-in blue tooth and GPS system, which allows the driver to keep both hands on the wheel while still talking and/or receiving directions. Another option is to simply ignore the buzzing of an incoming text. The safety of yourself and those around you comes first.

For more information, contact a Los Angeles car accident attorney today.