Driver distractions are so much a part of our day, we don‘t give them a second thought. They occur when a driver's attention is diverted away from the principal task of driving by some other, far less important, activity--like texting. Unfortunately, distracted driving accidents can be deadly for their victims--and costly--and many victims find out just how costly a distracted driver accident can be only once litigation begins. It's then that the need for lawsuit funding becomes apparent--and necessary.
Types of Distracted Driving
The dangerous activity most commonly associated with “distracted driving” is mobile phone use, whether used to text or talk. The list of driving distractions, however, goes well beyond cell phone use. Here are a few distracted driving examples:
Visual Distractions: Diverting attention to something other than the road such as a GPS, road signs, or scenery.
Audio Distractions: Hearing something to draw attention away from driving such as a cell phone, radio, or passengers.
Manual Distractions: Manipulating something other than the wheel such as fiddling with the radio or GPS, applying make-up, or eating.
Cognitive Distractions: Focusing attention on other thoughts such as an activity, event, or simply daydreaming.
The ability to “stay in touch”, at all times, from virtually anywhere, makes cell phones an important business and social tool. While cell phones have certainly become a reality of everyday life, it is important that drivers recognize that using them while behind the wheel of a fast moving, heavyweight vehicle, puts driver, passengers, pedestrians and others in serious danger.
Distracted Driving as Bad as Drunk Driving
Studies have shown that distracted driving from cell phone use hampers reaction time as much as a drunk driver with a blood alcohol level of 0.08--that's beyond the legal limit in many states. While most people are offended by and willing to punish drunk drivers, millions of those same people will drive in an state of equal impairment (distracted by cell phone use or other common distracting activities) and scoff at the notion that the two are similar (until, of course, deadly consequences result).
Just as with drunk driving, distracted driving causes the driver to take his focus off the road for seconds at a time and, therefore, impairs driving ability. The distracted driver loses his ability to drive defensively--in similar fashion to how driving under the influence can diminish response times; a split-second lag time in hitting the brakes can have deadly consequences for a distracted driving accident victim.
Need to Take Action Against Distracted Driving
Why have secondary activities become an everyday occurrence while driving? While study after study has shown the devastating consequences of distracted driving, most drivers are convinced that they are unaffected by this behavior. Auto manufacturers will acknowledge the risks, but continue to develop more gadgets that lead to more distractions. The government warns against cell phone use while driving, yet no state has completely banned its usage. Millions of Americans are already gabbing on the phone, texting, or fiddling with navigation devices the minute they start their cars, oblivious to their surroundings. This has become a dangerous obsession.
Serious injuries and deaths are occurring all over the country as negligent drivers text, talk, eat, apply make-up, adjust radios and other gadgets. Distracted driving is unsafe, irresponsible, and in a split second its consequences can be devastating. It is time to stop ignoring the facts and take decisive, corrective, action. Our first step must be to acknowledge the danger and commit to making changes in our own behavior. Second, America needs stricter laws preventing cell phone use (of any kind) and other common distractions, while driving. U.S. citizens are entitled to the safest roads possible; those who defy new, strict, laws should be punished. Public safety must be addressed, first and foremost.
Protecting Distracted Driving Accident Victims from Financial Ruin
Contrary to the negative public perception of personal injury attorneys, many of those attorneys have placed themselves squarely on the front lines in the fight against distracted driving. Personal injury attorneys advocate for safer roads and they stand up for the rights of seriously injured victims, or family member who have lost loved ones because someone was driving while distracted. But fighting for a distracted driving victim's rights can take time in order to obtain the best compensation--and during that time, the victim's finances can be seriously depleted as he tries to keep up with medical bills and mortgage payments. Unfortunately, many victims are not in a financial position to wait out the litigation process. Due to backlogs in our court systems and deliberate delay tactics of insurance companies, some are forced to settle for pennies on the dollar.
Lawsuit funding is a service that provides needed financial assistance to seriously injured victims of negligent drivers. As such, pre-settlement lawsuit funding allows victims to obtain adequate funds in order to meet their bills while their case is progress. Having funds available through lawsuit funding can help keep a victim from feeling the need to settle a distracted driver lawsuit for too little compensation, sometimes even for just pennies on the dollar.
The more drivers are educated about the hazards of distracted driving, the better chance we all have to improving our roadways. One company, Lawsuit Financial, has pledged support to those who are trying to do something about this dangerous, life-threatening, activity. The Casey Feldman Foundation (CFF), started by a personal injury trial lawyer and his wife, following the tragic death of their daughter (caused by a distracted, texting, driver) is one organization that seeks to educate drivers about the dangers of distracted driving. Other organizations and charities, like CFF, have been chartered as a result of tragedies to precious family members. Please--don’t wait for tragedy to strike before you take action. Remember that the most important task for you to perform behind the wheel is to get yourself and your passengers safely to your destination. Share the message; spread the word, and help create safer roads for everyone. Why should it take a tragedy for us to take action?