When drivers are distracted, accidents happen. There is no doubt about it. According to the CDC website, more than 2,800 people were killed in accidents involving distracted drivers in the United States in 2018. Meanwhile, it is also estimated that 400,000 individuals were injured by distracted drivers that same year. So, if you believe distracted driving isn’t a problem in southwest Florida, it might be time to think again.

Even right here in Venice, these types of accidents happen all the time. Then, when negligence occurs, people seek compensation for their damages, which is understandable. Why should they have to pay for medical bills and deal with lost wages when they didn’t do anything wrong? Did a distracted driver severely injure you? Contact the Goldman Babboni Fernandez & Walsh Venice office to schedule a free evaluation with a personal injury attorney if that’s the case. They’ll be more than happy to discuss the matter and help you decide if a lawsuit is a good fit.

Okay, now it’s time to look at some things you can do to prevent yourself from becoming a distracted driver. Then, maybe, we’ll be able to cut down on distracted driving incidents in the area, which, in turn, will prevent injuries and deaths. So, if your interest has gotten the better of you, please, stick around and read on to learn more.

Finish Grooming And Dressing At Home

Let’s not kid ourselves; mornings can be pretty hectic. Most people don’t usually want to be up, and there always seems to be a million things happening at once. Therefore, it can be tempting to try and multi-task. For example, you might wait to tie a tie, comb your hair, or apply makeup until after you’re behind the wheel. Obviously, these activities can take your mind off the road. Hence, you should always finish grooming and dressing at home to avoid becoming a distracted driver.

Don’t Text And Drive

Of all the different tasks you can do on your phone, texting is one of the most dangerous to attempt while driving. The Knowledge Burrow website states that texting while driving causes a 400-percent increase in time spent with eyes off the road and is six times more likely to cause a crash than drunk driving. So, put your cell phone away when operating a motor vehicle to ensure you don’t get distracted by messages. If you must absolutely read or write a message, pull over to a safe location and park before doing so.

Make Adjustments Before Getting Underway

According to AAA, a driver should make adjustments to systems before their trip gets underway. For example, nobody needs to be attempting to go down the road while adjusting the driver seat. That would definitely be a distraction that could cause someone to crash. Meanwhile, some of the other items you should probably take the time to adjust include:

• Mirrors
• Audio system
• Climate controls
• GPS

Stop! Avoid Eating And Driving

If you’re looking for ways to multi-task and save time, don’t let eating while driving become the solution. It can be tempting to let’s say finish that bowl of cereal on the way to work or grab a burger and fries between meetings. But with all your attention focused on satisfying your hunger, you could get into an accident quickly. Or, just imagine for a moment that you spill a drink in your lap. That might cause you to swerve and side-swipe somebody’s car. So, keep eating and driving separate, and hopefully, no accidents will head your way.

With tips like these, maybe some distracted driving accidents will be avoidable. But if you’re injured by a distracted driver, just remember that our personal injury attorneys are here to help. Let them fight for the compensation you deserve.