The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration defines distracted driving as “any activity that diverts attention from driving.” Driving distracted is a leading cause of car accidents and contributes to thousands of deaths every year.
If you have been injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver, you have the right to seek recovery for your damages. At Warhawk Legal, our Oklahoma City distracted driving accident attorneys can help you prove causation and liability so you can recover maximum compensation.
Five Leading Causes of Distracted Driving
Many things can distract you while driving. Some of the most common types of distractions include:
- Phones. The number one distraction for drivers today is cell phones. Talking while driving certainly takes your mind off driving. Even worse are texting and reading, which take your mind and eyes off the road and your hands off the wheel, which can quickly cause a devastating crash. It is illegal to drive and text in Oklahoma. Oklahoma law also prohibits using handheld phones and other electronic devices in school and work zones. However, you may still use the hands-free features of your phone in these areas.
- Eating or drinking. Many of us lead hectic lives, and it can be challenging to find time to stop and eat when we are hungry. With drive-through restaurants so plentiful, it is easy to grab a quick bite or a drink on the road. However, eating and drinking take your attention and your hands off the road.
- Watching something or someone outside the vehicle. It is often referred to as “rubbernecking,” and it can be deadly. It is natural to be curious when you pass the acne of accident or some other event or person that grabs your attention. But doing so can quickly lead you to rear-end the vehicle in front of you or lose control and crash.
- Grooming. Believe it or not, some drivers brush their hair, apply makeup, or even shave while driving. This takes hands off the wheel and often takes eyes off the road to look into a mirror, putting everyone on the road with that driver at risk.
- Adjusting the radio or other vehicle controls. When you take your hands off the wheel to adjust the radio, GPS, seat position, or other controls, you significantly increase your risk of a collision.
Proving Fault In A Distracted Driving Accident Claim
To prove that distracted driving caused your accident, you need substantial evidence. While each car accident claim is unique, some types of evidence we may use to help prove causation and liability include cell phone records, social media account data, eyewitness statements, dashcam and surveillance video footage, and event data recorder information. An experienced Oklahoma City car accident attorney can investigate your accident and identify all possible causes, helping you establish liability and secure maximum compensation for your damages.
Schedule a Free Consultation With An Oklahoma City Distracted Driving Accident Attorney
If you have been injured in a car accident and suspect distracted driving was the cause, you need the assistance of an experienced car accident attorney who knows how to build your strongest case.
At Warhawk Legal, our Oklahoma City distracted driving accident attorneys have a proven record of winning big for our clients, and we want to do the same for you. Call (405) 397-1717 or visit our contact page to schedule a free consultation to discuss your claim.