Common Causes, Categories and Risks of Distracted Driving

Driving in Las Vegas is far from easy. From congested roadways to reckless motorists zipping through traffic, you have to be ready to react quickly. Due to the hazards, it’s no wonder that distracted driving is a major cause of rear-end collisions in Las Vegas.

Even though distracted driving is illegal, many Las Vegas motorists fail to pay attention. You can file a legal claim if a distracted driver caused an accident and you suffered damages as a result. First, learn more about distracted driving to better understand the risks.

Categories of Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is divided into three categories: visual, cognitive, and manual. You take your eyes or mind off the road when you experience visual and cognitive distractions. Manual distractions occur when you remove your hands from the steering wheel to complete another task.

It only takes a split second for a visual, cognitive, or manual distraction to cause an accident, especially when traveling on high-traffic roads. Due to the distractions, drivers typically don’t slow down before hitting another vehicle, so the injuries are often severe.

Many victims of distracted driving accidents require long-term medical care. Fortunately, victims can collect damages from the at-fault driver to cover medical care and other financial losses.

Common Causes of Distracted Driving

Visual, cognitive, and manual distractions take many forms, from cell phone use to interacting with children while driving. Las Vegas law enforcement is cracking down on distracted drivers, but it’s still a significant issue on the roads. Review some common driving distractions in Las Vegas to better understand the risks.

Cell Phone Use

Texting when driving is a primary cause of distracted driving accidents. A study found that drivers lose focus on the road for an average of 23 seconds when texting. Since texting requires visual, cognitive, and manual engagement, it doubles the risk of causing an accident or near-accident.

You’re also at an elevated risk of an accident when making phone calls manually. Locating your phone, scrolling for the number, and hitting the call button require attention that should be spent focusing on the road.

Using a cell phone while driving in Las Vegas is illegal unless it’s hands-free. If you get into an accident with someone who was on the phone, you can file a personal injury claim to recover compensation. You can even file a claim if the other driver was using hands-free technology since it can still be cognitively and visually distracting.

Eating and Drinking When Driving

Reaching for and consuming food and beverages causes visual and manual distractions. The severity of the distraction depends on factors such as accessibility and food type. For instance, grabbing a drink from a cupholder isn’t as distracting as opening a cooler.

You can also minimize distractions by choosing the right foods. For example, you don’t need to put much effort or attention into eating a granola bar. However, using utensils to eat when driving maximizes the distraction, increasing the risk of a rear-end collision.

Engaging With Passengers

All passengers can create distractions when driving, especially when requiring lots of the driver’s attention. However, parents driving with kids have an elevated risk of becoming too distracted to focus on the road.

Parents often mediate disputes between kids, pick up toys, and pass out food and drinks while driving. This is always dangerous, especially when navigating congested roadways with hazards. Unfortunately, children don’t understand that parents need to pay attention to the road, so it’s hard to prevent distractions entirely.

Still, you can reduce the risk by ensuring your kids are entertained in the car. Movies, books, and quiet toys can hold their attention so you can focus on driving. You can also have another adult manage the kids while you drive.

Traveling With Pets

Pets can be just as distracting as texting when driving when left unrestrained. As with children, pets don’t understand that you need to focus on the road and will try to get your attention. Your pets might paw or nudge you, try to climb in your lap, or even hit the steering wheel.

You’ll lower your risk and increase focus by restraining pets when traveling. Kennels and seat belts work wonders in keeping pets in place.

Still, you might want to turn around and look at and pet your dog or cat. Resist the urge until you arrive at your destination so you don’t get into an accident.

Reading Billboards and People Watching

From the dazzling lights and billboards to crowds, there’s a lot to see when driving around Las Vegas. Unfortunately, it’s easy to get caught up in the sights and forget to pay attention to the road. Gazing at the sights for a second or two is enough distraction to cause a rear-end accident. Thus, stay focused on the road and avoid checking out the sights until your car is parked.

Putting on Makeup

Nevada law considers applying makeup and other grooming activities as distracted driving, and for good reason. Even a quick touchup requires taking your hands off the wheel and eyes off the road. It’sstill dangerous to do this when stopped at a red light. You might not notice when the light changes, blocking the road for cars behind you.

You can get a ticket if caught applying makeup or doing any other grooming activity that causes a distraction. Additionally, someone can file a legal claim against you if you cause an accident while applying makeup.

Seek Compensation After a Distracted Driving Accident

Were you in an accident caused by a distracted driver? You can file a claim for compensation if you were injured. You also must prove you suffered damages, such as medical expenses and lost wages.

Consult a car accident attorney to find out if you have a valid claim. If so, your lawyer can calculate your damages, including long-term losses due to your injuries. Then, you can take steps to recover compensation while holding the distracted driver accountable.