Driving is a necessity for many Massachusetts residents. Unfortunately, driving on local roads can mean sharing space with negligent and irresponsible motor vehicle operators. Many drivers who make dangerous choices while behind the wheels of their cars are distracted. Distractions come in many different forms.
This post will discuss several different types of distractions that may affect Massachusetts motorists and how those distractions can cause serious accidents. Whenever a person is hurt in a serious car collision, they can choose to speak with their trusted personal injury attorney for guidance. This informational post does not offer its readers an legal advice.
Recognized forms of driving distractions
Distracted driving is a broad term for many behaviors which negatively impact driving performance. They can be visual distractions, manual distractions, or cognitive distractions. A visual distraction causes a driver to look away from the road while operating their vehicle, while a manual distraction is one that causes a driver to take their hands off the wheel. A cognitive distraction is a distraction that mentally alters a driver’s ability to safely operate their car.
Examples of distractions include, but are not limited to the following:
- Eating, drinking, or grooming
- Texting, sending emails, or talking on the cellphone
- Looking at an accident or other roadway event
- Talking to passengers or managing pets while driving
- Thinking about worries, daydreaming, tuning out
All forms of distractions are dangerous because they cause drivers to take attention away from their duties behind the wheel and place their focus on secondary tasks.
Distractions as a form of negligence
Distractions while driving are dangerous because drivers lose focus and fail to act reasonably by letting secondary activities take priority over their attention. The failure of a driver to act reasonably in their situation is an element of negligence, an important personal injury theory that can avail victims to damages and the recovery of their losses. When a victim can prove that a distracted driver owed them a duty of care, breached their duty, caused them to suffer harm in an accident, and caused them to suffer damages or losses, the victim may be able to sue for their injuries.
Building a case after a distracted driving accident
Though a negligence claim may seem straightforward, there are many aspects of litigating personal injury claims that can complicate even the most standard cases. Victims of distracted driving accidents do not have to face their cases on their own. The can solicit the support and counsel of trusted Massachusetts-based attorneys to help them fight for their rights to compensation.
