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April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month
To bring awareness to the issue of distracted driving, the National Safety Council has named April as the Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Distracted driving causes serious injury and death, and these accidents are entirely preventable.
If you suspect that the driver who caused your car accident was distracted, you should not have to pay for your injuries. An attorney can help you prove that the other driver was at fault and that you are entitled to monetary damages.
Cell Phone Usage is a Common Source of Distracted Driving
Many people claim to be concerned with safety when they drive. However, the National Safety Council reports that 47 percent of drivers say they are comfortable texting and driving. Texting is one of the most dangerous activities to take part in while behind the wheel.
The National Safety Council says that the following behaviors increase the risk of accidents:
- Reading increases the risk of an accident by 3.4 times;
- Talking on the phone increases the risk of an accident by 4 times; and
- Texting increases the risk of an accident by 8 to 23 times.
While there are other dangerous distractions for drivers such as putting on makeup or reaching for a falling object, cell phone usage presents a unique danger because so many people use them while driving. Additionally, drivers tend to use cell phones behind the wheel for a longer period of time.
The Dangers of Phone Calls and Driving
Certain drivers may be surprised to learn that talking on the phone is dangerous. Experts say that even using a hands-free device does not lower the risk. When the brain is forced to switch between talking on the phone and driving, reaction times greatly decrease.
Other people may think that speaking on a phone is the same as speaking to a passenger in the car. However, passengers can help you spot dangerous situations whereas the person on the other end of a phone call cannot help you in this way.
Contact a Milwaukee, WI, Auto Accident Lawyer
If you have been seriously injured in an accident, you should consult with an attorney before accepting a settlement with an insurance company. Accident victims often undervalue their injuries or are not aware of all the types of damages to which they are entitled under Wisconsin law.
For example, car accident victims are regularly awarded damages for medical bills, property damages, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
The knowledgeable Milwaukee car accident attorneys at Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, LLP help car accident victims get the compensation they deserve. Call our firm at 414-271-1440 to schedule your first meeting with our attorneys.
Source:
http://www.nsc.org/learn/NSC-Initiatives/Pages/distracted-driving-awareness-month.aspx
