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Wisconsin Distracted Driving Accidents

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What is Distracted Driving?

Distracted driving—or anything that diverts a driver’s attention from the task of driving—is the culprit in thousands of fatal accidents and tens of thousands of accidents resulting in injury. Distracted driving is a serious safety problem in the US today, so it is important to arm yourself with the knowledge of what constitutes distracted driving, how it happens, and how to protect yourself if you or a loved one has been hurt by a distracted driver.

Types of Distracted Driving

According to Distraction.gov, the official U.S. Government website for distracted driving, “all distractions endanger driver, passenger and bystander safety”. Activities that commonly interfere with a driver’s concentration and ability to safely drive a vehicle include:

  • Eating and drinking
  • Smoking
  • Grooming
  • Talking on a cell phone
  • Talking to a passenger
  • Reading a map or using a GPS or other navigation guide
  • Texting
  • Adjusting a radio, CD player, or MP3 player
  • Watching a video on a phone or a navigation system
  • Singing
  • Tending to children or pets
  • Daydreaming or watching the scenery
  • Adjusting anything on the dashboard such as heat or air conditioning
  • “Rubber necking”

Additionally in Wisconsin two types of distracted driving are expressly prohibited. Specifically, the law bans:

  • Cell phone use for new drivers
  • Texting for all drivers

The Dangers of Distracted Driving

Undoubtedly, distracted driving is a major problem in the US today. To put the dangers of distracted driving into context, consider the following statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

  • In 2012, 3,328 people were killed in crashes involving a distracted driver, compared to 3,360 in 2011. An additional, 421,000 people were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver in 2012, a 9% increase from the 387,000 people injured in 2011.
  • In 2011, nearly one in five crashes (17%) in which someone was injured involved distracted driving.
  • In December 2012, more than 171 billion text messages were sent or received in the US.

In the time it takes to respond to a text or take a bite of food while you are driving, the car in front of you could come to an abrupt stop, or a child could run out into the street. In those moments, every single second counts. And every second a driver spends distracted could mean the difference between a safe drive and a life-altering car crash.

How to Prevent Distracted Driving Accidents

As serious as distracting driving accidents are, the good news is that they are preventable. Prevent distracted driving accidents by:

  • Making driving your primary focus when behind the wheel
  • Avoiding driving when fatigued or upset
  • Putting your phone in a place where you will not be tempted to look at it while driving, such as the a locked glove compartment or the back seat.
  • Setting an away message on your phone that informs callers you are currently driving and when you will reach your destination.
  • Downloading an app to your phone that sends pre-set replies to incoming texts letting people know you are driving.
  • Pre-emptively informing anyone with the potential to call or text you that you do not reply while you are driving.
  • Understanding that in the event of a true emergency, your safest bet is to pull over before making a call or sending a text.

Ultimately, change begins with you—the driver. Help save lives by remaining vigilant in your adherence to the tips outlined above.

After a Distracted Driving Accident: What to Do

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a car crash resulting from distracted driving, please contact an experienced car crash attorney immediately. You could be entitled to compensatory and punitive damages that may help to recover costs incurred due to lost income, pain and suffering, emotional trauma and other out-of-pocket expenses. Call Gebhard Law today to review your case and put you on the road to physical and financial recovery.

 

Common Causes of Wisconsin Car Crashes

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Car accidents happen in just a fraction of a moment, but often result in thousands of dollars in collateral damage, serious injury and even death. From bad weather to driver fatigue, almost anything can cause a car accident. But some reasons are more common than others.

Car Accidents: 10 Possible Causes

The following are some of the most common reasons why car accidents occur. If you remember these risks and do everything you can to prevent them, you may help reduce the likelihood of being involved in a car accident.

  • Drowsy drivers – Drowsy drivers are less attentive and have slow reaction times. They may fall asleep at the wheel and drift into another lane. According to the Centers for Disease Control, drowsy drivers cause 2.5% of fatal crashes and 2% of injury crashes in the US annually.
  • Drunk drivers – Drunk drivers account for over 300,000 car accidents every day in the US. In Wisconsin, it is illegal for drivers to be on the road with a BAC of 0.08 percent or higher. Despite the risks, many drunk drivers venture out on the road every day, endangering not only their lives but the lives of others.
  • Drivers under the influence of drugs – Alcohol is the substance most often blamed for car accidents, but drugs like marijuana and prescription pills also play a huge role in DUI-related accidents. Like alcohol, drugs impair driver judgment and significantly slow reaction times.
  • Texting while driving – Texting while driving is a scary, growing national trend. Texting is an obvious distraction which keeps eyes off the road and at least one hand off the steering wheel.
  • Distracted drivers – Common forms of distraction for drivers include eating, drinking, daydreaming, smoking and cell phone use.
  • Confusing roadways – Missing signs and malfunctioning traffic lights are common causes for accidents. Additionally, unsavory weather conditions such as rain or sleet often contribute to driver confusion.
  • Speeding – Generally, the faster a driver speeds, the less time there is to react. For this reason, speeding is the second most common cause of fatal crashes in the US.
  • Elderly drivers – Elderly drivers are not always the cause of accidents. However, elderly drivers do have slowed response times and often have difficulty seeing, both of which can cause car accidents.
  • Teen drivers – Teen drivers often lack experience driving in dangerous conditions. This inexperience inevitably causes accidents.
  • Road rage – Anger on the road can impair judgment and increase impulsivity. Angry drivers will often disregard basic traffic laws, endangering both themselves and others.

Why You Need to Know What Caused Your Accident

In the US, you must prove that someone is legally responsible for your accident-related injuries in order for you to receive damages. For this reason, it is of utmost importance that you know who or what caused your accident.

Following an accident, injuries may be severe and emotions may be high. But you should begin the investigation immediately by:

  • Calling the police for an initial accident investigation.
  • Taking pictures of any collateral damage and/or injuries.
  • Exchanging information with all passengers, drivers and witnesses involved.
  • Contacting your insurance company and informing them of the accident.

Of course, your investigation will not end at the scene of the accident. You may need additional evidence in order to support your case. Protect yourself by reading through our Wisconsin Car Accidents Information Page and learning what damages you are entitled to along with other information that may help you strengthen your case.

Waukesha Personal Injury Attorney

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Karl M. Gebhard JR. is a Waukesha personal injury attorney and trial lawyer in Waukesha, Wisconsin who litigates catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death cases for Auto, Truck, Bus, Watercraft and Pedestrian Accidents ,Uninsured and Underinsured Motorists etc.

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