Each year, thousands of people in Pennsylvania get injured in car crashes that involve a distracted driver. Everything from phone use to eating and drinking can take a driver’s attention from the road. That’s why these distracting activities should be avoided. Drivers should put their phones on “do not disturb” mode and only call after pulling over to the side of the road.
That’s not all. Even conversations with passengers can become a danger, especially when there are many passengers. Therefore, drivers may want to set a limit on how many people they take with them. The front-seat passenger may be of benefit, though, by checking on traffic conditions and plotting navigation for the driver.
Drowsiness can also lead to drivers having trouble focusing and drifting in and out of lanes. That’s why people should sleep a minimum of seven hours before getting behind the while. When they must head out while tired, they could drink lots of coffee or hire a ride-sharing service.
Teens have the highest car crash and fatality rate of any age group. Therefore, parents should take a zero-tolerance approach to distracted driving. Perhaps even more importantly, parents must set a good example for their kids.
When a distracted driver causes a car crash, there may be good grounds for the victim to file a personal injury claim. A lot depends on the degree of fault of each party. If the plaintiff is less than 51% at fault, they could potentially recover damages. The defendant’s auto insurance company will likely put up a fight, so victims should consider hiring a lawyer for advice and guidance. Failing to achieve a settlement, the lawyer may proceed to litigation.