Whether you are a new or seasoned motorist, you need a great deal of awareness to drive safely. Unfortunately, studies have shown that cell phone use while driving is one of the leading causes of distractions and, thus, car accidents in the U.S.
If you are a victim of a car crash that is attributable to distracted driving, you may hold the liable party to account for the resulting economic and non-economic damages per Virginia negligence laws. But how exactly do cell phones lead to car crashes?
The link between cell phones and car accidents
Distractions behind the wheel come in a variety of forms. However, one of the most prevalent ones is operating a cell phone. Here are three ways the use of a cell phone can impede your ability to focus on the activity at hand – driving:
- Visual distractions: A clear and unobstructed peripheral vision is key to driving safely. When a motorist’s eyes are taken off the road and on the cell phone, even for a moment, their ability to react in time to changing conditions like an animal jumping onto the road may be impeded.
- Manual distraction: A motorist will likely have a difficult time steering, signaling or shifting while holding a cell phone with one hand and steering with the other. While it may seem seamless to make a call with one hand while the other is on the wheel, a driver’s manual dexterity will certainly be inhibited to some extent.
- Mental distraction: Driving is a mental activity as much as it is a physical activity. When a motorist is on the phone, their mind and focus become engaged in an activity other than driving. Consequently, this impairs their judgment and ability to make split-second decisions.
Cell phone-related accidents are avoidable. If you are hurt due to another driver’s negligence, you deserve justice. Learning how Virginia car accident claims work can help you protect your rights and interests while pursuing damages following a car accident that is attributable to another driver’s use of a cell phone behind the wheel.