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Who would have thought? Bugs are a major driving distraction

On Behalf of | Feb 17, 2022 | Car Accidents, Personal Injury

When you’re driving, distractions are everywhere. For safety’s sake, you know that you need to turn off your phone, put down your coffee, ask your passengers to be quiet and focus on the road. 

But, do you know what to do if there’s a bug in the car?

Spiders, bees, wasps, cicadas and more can cause problems

It’s estimated that roughly 650,000 car accidents a year – totaling millions of dollars in damages – are related to insects.

One Indiana woman was so startled by a spider on her shoulder that she jumped out of the vehicle while it was still in motion, hitting a school bus. Just last year, a cicada caused a wreck when it flew into a vehicle’s open window, striking an Ohio driver in the face.

Obviously, keeping a clean car and keeping your car in an equally clean garage can help prevent insects from getting into the vehicle, but there’s honestly no 100% effective method of keeping the bugs away.

So, what can you do to minimize the chances of a wreck should an insect enter your vehicle? Try these tips:

  •     Don’t panic. This may be easier said than done, especially if the bug happens to be a spider or a stinging insect that could leave you with a painful welt (at best) or provoke an allergic reaction (at worst). Try to remember that your situation will only worsen if you let yourself get distracted.
  •     Pull over: Throw on your hazard lights if you’re on the highway as you slow down and gradually pull over. If you’re on a city street or rural road, look for the first available parking lot or driveway you can find.
  •     Get out: Open all the doors and give the insect plenty of room to depart in peace. (If you are already bitten, seek medical treatment as soon as possible.)

What happens if you’re injured in a wreck with a distracted driver who reacted on instinct to an insect in their vehicle? Well, despite the circumstances, they’re not off the hook for your losses. Find out more about your legal options for recovery as soon as possible. 

 

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