An Aggressive Louisville Distracted Driving Attorney
Drivers have a “duty of care” while driving. That duty is to pay attention to the road, not to their phones, food, music or other distractions.
When a driver fails to give driving their full attention, they are putting other drivers, walkers and bikers at serious risk. At T.J. Smith, Attorney at Law, our lawyer understands Kentucky laws, insurance companies and personal injury. He will represent you after a serious car crash to try to ensure that you get the monetary compensation and medical care you need.
The Most Common Types Of Distracted Driving
While distracted driving has likely been around since the automobile was invented, it was not until cellphones became affordable that distracted drivers became one of the worst menaces on the road. Tragically, over the past few decades, deaths and permanent injuries caused by distracted drivers have skyrocketed in Louisville and nationwide. Activities such as texting and driving, talking on the phone and using a hand to operate apps are very dangerous, as they disregard the safety of other drivers, motorists and pedestrians.
However, there are other ways that careless drivers distract themselves. Other common types of distracted driving include:
- Eating and drinking
- Applying makeup, combing hair and doing other forms of grooming
- Operating the radio
- Disciplining or playing with children or pets
- Talking to passengers
However a driver chooses to divert their focus from the road, they are responsible for any resulting injuries to others.
It Doesn’t Always Happen Where You Expect
Many distracted driving car accidents happen on the highway, but a distracted driver does not have to be traveling at highway speeds to cause terrible harm. It is not unusual for victims to get hit by distracted drivers at stop signs, at traffic lights and even in parking lots. Often, these crashes are the result of distracted drivers failing to notice that they need to stop, so they don’t brake until it is too late. Pedestrians and bicyclists at these intersections and parking areas are especially at high risk.
Cognitive Distraction Can Endanger Kentucky Motorists
Talking on a handheld or hands-free cellphone while driving has proven to be a dangerous form of distracted driving that has claimed the lives of many people across the country. Driving while talking on a cellphone is considered a cognitive distraction that can lead to devastating car accidents. Numerous studies highlight the dangers of cognitive distraction and show how carrying on a conversation with another person over the phone can lead to disastrous car accidents.
What Is Cognitive Distraction?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cognitive distractions occur when a driver’s attention is diverted away from the primary task of driving. Many motorists believe that they can effectively multitask by engaging in a conversation while driving. Scientific studies prove otherwise.
The National Safety Council (NSC) released a study evaluating how the brain is affected by distractions. The report shows how the human brain is incapable of handling two difficult tasks, such as talking on a cellphone and driving, at the same time. Rather than completing two activities simultaneously, the brain actually switches back and forth between the two tasks, leaving moments where the driver is completely incapable of responding to an emergency driving situation. As a result, the driver experiences a reduced reaction time to situations involving uncontrollable circumstances such as inclement weather conditions, objects on the road, other drivers’ erratic behavior and even pedestrians.
Distracted Driving And Inattention Blindness
According to the NSC, motorists who talk on a handheld or hands-free cellphone are unable to see and process up to 50% of their driving environment. In some reports, drivers appear to be looking straight ahead while they are talking on their cellphones. However, they may end up running through red lights and stop signs. Inattention blindness can cause motor vehicle collisions in some cases.
The Dangers Of Voice-Activated Devices
A recent study released by the American Automobile Association (AAA) shows that advanced voice-activated technology used in vehicles may increase a driver’s stress and distraction rather than reduce the amount of distraction a driver experiences. The study found that the biggest cause of distraction occurred when voice-activated technology was unable to accurately interpret the driver’s commands. There is a chance that this new technology can actually decrease mental distraction in the future, but only if manufacturers work on increasing the quality and accuracy of their systems.
The Leading Causes Of Car Distractions
Distracted driving is a major contributor to accidents on the road. Common driving distractions include:
- Smartphones and texting
- Drinking or eating
- Playing with the radio or other distractions on the dashboard
- Other passengers
In recent years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 3,000 lives were lost in accidents that could be attributed to distracted driving.
Holding Reckless And Distracted Louisville Drivers Accountable
Driving while distracted is just as dangerous as driving while drunk. Drivers who are on their phones are not paying attention to the road. Their reaction times are similar to the reaction times of alcohol-impaired drivers.
Our attorney at our established, proven and highly reputable personal injury firm, T.J. Smith, Attorney at Law, represents people who were hurt in accidents by distracted or reckless drivers. This includes:
- Delivery truck and rideshare accidents
- Shuttle van accidents
- Tractor-trailer accidents
Were you sideswiped or T-boned? Did someone pull out in front of you or hit you from behind? When personal injury lawyer T.J. Smith represents you, he and our staff will work tirelessly to obtain the best result possible for you. We provide results-oriented representation if you were harmed because someone wasn’t paying attention.
We Do More Than Just Paperwork: We Actively Investigate Your Crash
Some crashes require special attention to detail to accurately assess what happened. In these cases, our lawyer thoroughly investigates, visits the scene and employs an accident reconstruction professional and experts in other disciplines to ensure complete accuracy.
He also takes into consideration the full effect of the crash and the injury on your life. T.J. does this to place an accurate – not a lowball – value on your losses. These may include your lost income, pain and suffering, damage or loss of your vehicle, and other compensable damages. Once our lawyer has the facts, he can seek the best results possible for you in settlement negotiations or at trial. Why? Because he wants to help you get the medical care and compensation you need to rebuild your life.
From the start of your case to its conclusion, you can depend on T.J. and our caring staff for skillful, results-oriented advocacy in truck crashes and motor vehicle crashes.
Distracted Driving Accidents FAQ
Do you have questions about how recovering compensation after a distracted driving crash works in Kentucky? Below are answers to a few of our clients’ most frequently asked questions to get you started.
What is distracted driving?
According to the NHTSA, any activity that a motorist does that takes their attention from driving is driving while distracted. Driving is complex and requires total focus to perform safely. Even a few seconds of distraction, such as reading a text message on your phone, is enough to lose control and crash into an innocent person.
Who is most likely to drive distracted?
Young drivers are particularly prone to distracted driving. Teenagers and young adults often use smartphones while driving, which increases the risk of accidents. New drivers may also struggle with managing distractions due to inexperience. However, distracted driving can affect anyone, regardless of age or experience. It’s important for all drivers to remain vigilant and minimize distractions to ensure safety on the road.
Does hands-free texting technology reduce distracted driving car accident rates?
Many states that have banned texting and driving make an exception for hands-free, voice-operated text messaging. The idea is that texting without using your hands or eyes is safer while driving. However, some research has suggested that hands-free texting is virtually as big of a mental distraction as texting with your fingers.
Find Out What To Do Next In A Free Consultation
Were you a victim of distracted or reckless driving? Let T.J. and our team help. He has more than 30 years of personal injury experience and has won over $250 million for his injured clients. Discuss what happened with an experienced and committed distracted driving lawyer. Call T.J. Smith, Attorney at Law, at 502-677-1429. We serve injured clients throughout the Louisville area and across the state of Kentucky. You can also set up a meeting with our attorney by sending him a message using our website contact form.