St. Petersburg Accident Blog

The Impact of Driver Distractions

Driver distractions can come in many forms, such as talking on a cell phone, sending text messages, putting a CD into the stereo or turning to look at children in the backseat.  To determine the link between driver distractions and car accidents, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute performed a study following 241 drivers in 100 vehicles for more than one year.  A total of 200 million miles were traveled during the time of the study.  Some of the findings were alarming.

According to the study, most car accidents occur when the driver has been distracted for 3 seconds.  Three seconds seems like a short amount of time, but it is just enough to cause a serious auto accident.  Approximately 1 out of every 3 drivers in the study was involved in an auto accident during the time of the study.  Even more distressing is the fact that each driver had an average of 3 near-accidents.

The study reflected the need for drivers to focus on driving-related tasks while they are behind the wheel.  While cell phones and other electronic devices have brought convenience, they can lead to driver distraction and ultimately tragic car crashes.  Researchers also found that when the driver reached for a moving object inside the car, the chance of a car accident increased by 9 times.

If you have been injured in a car accident and you believe it was caused by the other driver being distracted, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.  An insurance adjuster may not take into account the cost of your future medical treatment and pain and suffering.  After a car accident, you should consult with an experienced Florida auto accident attorney who can help you determine how much your case is worth.

The article, Distracted Drivers Cause Serious Car Accidents, has more information on this subject.