Distracted driving car accidents in and around Atlanta often result from smartphone use behind the wheel, whether that involves talking, texting, emailing, or internet browsing. The rise of smartphones has coincided with a significant increase in distracted driving crashes across the country, even as states like Georgia have instituted handheld cell phone bans for drivers.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that distractions can be visual, manual, and cognitive. Even taking your mind off the task of driving can be dangerous. To be clear, distracted driving can have many causes, and it may be possible to file a car accident lawsuit against a negligent motorist for various types of distracted driving collisions. The following are some of the most common causes of distracted driving car accidents in Atlanta for which the distracted motorist may be liable.
Using a Smartphone
Using a smartphone in any capacity is a leading cause of distracted driving accidents. Smartphone use can take a variety of forms, including talking, texting, reading or sending emails, running an internet search, using an app, or inputting an address into the phone’s GPS.
While smartphone technology certainly plays a role in the rate of distracted driving injuries and deaths in the Atlanta area, it is important to remember that distracted driving crashes can be caused by more than just smartphones.
Eating While Driving
Many people stop for food on their way to or from work, or while running errands. Eating behind the wheel can actually lead to many distracted driving accidents since it requires taking your hands off the wheel, your eyes off the road, and your mind away from the task of driving.
Grooming While Driving
When we are running late, it can be easy to plan to apply makeup or comb our hair while waiting in traffic. Yet grooming while driving can lead to distracted driving accidents. Even if you think you are a “pro” at putting on makeup behind the wheel, you should realize that grooming is a distraction, and can result in serious accidents.
Interacting with a Vehicle Occupant
Distracted driving collisions frequently happen when a driver is distracted by interactions with other passengers or vehicle occupants. Whether you are having a conversation with a person in the passenger seat or reaching to calm a child in a safety seat, you could cause a distracted driving crash.
Thinking About an Issue at Home or Work
Even if your eyes are on the road and your hands are on the wheel, focusing on an issue that is causing you stress or anxiety could result in a distracted driving accident. Cognitive distractions can cause accidents just as visual and manual distractions can, although it can be more difficult to prove that a cognitive distraction alone resulted in an accident.
Contact an Experienced Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer
Were you injured in a car crash caused by a distracted driver? You may be eligible to file a claim for financial compensation. One of our experienced Atlanta car accident attorneys can evaluate your case for you today, and we can provide you with more information about filing a civil lawsuit. Contact Stewart Miller Simmons Trial Attorneys online or call our firm at (404) 529-3476 to learn more about how we can help with your case.