A distracted driving collision can have devastating consequences for victims. From medical expenses and lost wages to debilitating pain, immobility and mental trauma, these crashes can generate many different immediate and long-term hardships. Many people understand the risks associated with phone use behind the wheel, but it is critical for drivers to review other risk factors that cause drivers to divert their attention from the road.
Sadly, distracted driving collisions continue to leave many victims with devastating injuries.
Distractions behind the wheel
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention covers various distractions that can lead to traffic collisions. Phones play a role in many distracted driving accidents, whether drivers try to send or read messages, watch videos or talk to someone. However, distracted driving occurs for many other reasons, including talking to passengers, eating food, drinking, using a GPS, reading a map or reaching for something on the floor.
Some distractions result in drivers taking their eyes off the road, while others cause drivers to lose mental focus or take their hands off the wheel.
Data on accidents due to distractions
The CDC reports that on an annual basis, distracted driving claims thousands of lives. In 2019, roughly 424,000 people sustained injuries in distracted driving accidents, and these collisions caused more than 3,100 deaths. Data also shows that distracted driving is especially prevalent among drivers between the ages of 15 and 20.
Unfortunately, too many drivers keep ignoring these risks and engage in dangerous behaviors that result in distracted driving accidents.