Distractions are prevalent while driving; there can be multiple at the same time, and most of them seem to be innocent and harmless. However, it only takes 1 second of distraction to cause a Yonkers distracted driving accident that can bring fatalities.
There are several laws regarding this kind of negligence. Regularly, we can see awareness campaigns in order to let society know that together, we can make a difference.
It is an all-day battle to deal with transit accidents. If you or a loved one got injured in one of them, don’t hesitate to find help from a distracted driving attorney from The Ward Law Group.
You may be entitled to compensation when a transit accident happens. Be prepared by reading our posts regarding all the different types of accidents where you could get injured and learn how we can help you in all those cases.
What is Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving is a hazardous behavior that occurs when a driver diverts their attention from the road, increasing the risk of accidents. This diversion can take various forms, including visual, manual, and cognitive distractions.
Understanding these types of distractions is crucial in preventing accidents and seeking legal recourse in the event of an incident.
Types of Distractions
- Visual Distraction: This occurs when a driver takes their eyes off the road. Even a split-second lapse in visual attention can lead to a collision. Examples of visual distractions include looking at a phone, reading a map, or gazing at an event outside the vehicle.
- Manual Distraction: This involves taking one or both hands off the steering wheel. This is particularly dangerous as it compromises the driver's ability to control the vehicle. Common manual distractions include texting, adjusting the radio, or reaching for objects within the car.
- Cognitive Distraction: This distraction occurs when a driver's mind is not entirely focused on driving. They may be lost in thought, daydreaming, or personal matters. Cognitive distractions can lead to delayed reaction times and impaired decision-making.
Examples of Distracted Driving Behaviors
Texting and Driving:
This is one of the most dangerous forms of distracted driving. It involves the simultaneous use of visual, manual, and cognitive attention, making it highly risky.
Sending or reading a text takes a driver's eyes off the road for a significant amount of time.
Talking on the Phone:
Holding a conversation on a handheld phone diverts visual and cognitive attention. Even with hands-free devices, cognitive distraction remains a concern.
Eating or Drinking:
Attempting to consume food or beverages while driving can lead to manual and cognitive distractions.
Juggling a meal diverts attention away from critical driving tasks.
Grooming and Personal Care:
Applying makeup, combing hair, or adjusting clothing while driving involves both manual and visual distractions. These activities can lead to accidents due to reduced attention on the road.
Using GPS or Navigation Systems:
While valuable tools for navigation, using GPS devices requires visual and cognitive attention to interpret directions and follow maps.
These systems are being used a lot in our society, and now more than ever, with all those services of delivery to our homes or rideshare services like Uber and Lift, where the driver needs to follow GPS directions.
Distracted Driving Statistics in Yonkers
Just in July 2023, there were nearly 2,300 accidents caused by general distractions, which is approximately 30% of the total transit accidents in a month.
In Yonkers, as well as in any part of New York, there are rules that must be followed in order to avoid accidents. Distractions while driving have been increasing since the boom of mobile phones back in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
In 2001, New York became the first state in the U.S. to implement a ban on handheld mobile phone use while driving. This was followed by other states enacting similar laws in the subsequent years. However, it was in the mid-2000s that many states began to adopt more comprehensive legislation addressing cell phone use while driving.
The increasing recognition of mobile phones as a distraction led to the development of laws and regulations aimed at curbing their use on the road. States implemented various measures, including bans on texting while driving, hands-free requirements, and penalties for violating these rules.
The dangers of mobile phone use while driving continues to be a major concern, and efforts to address this issue persist through ongoing public awareness campaigns, education, and legal measures.
Common Types of Distracted Driving Accidents
Distracted driving is a pervasive issue that leads to various types of accidents on Yonkers and New York roads. These accidents can have severe consequences for the distracted driver and others involved.
Understanding the common types of distracted driving accidents and the potential injuries they can cause is crucial for prevention and seeking legal recourse in the event of an incident.
1. Rear-End Collisions
One of the most frequent types of distracted driving accidents is rear-end collisions. These occur when a distracted driver fails to notice a stopped or slowing vehicle ahead.
Whether the distraction is visual, manual, or cognitive, the delayed reaction time can lead to a collision. Injuries from rear-end collisions can range from whiplash and neck injuries to more severe spinal injuries, depending on the force of impact.
A whiplash injury is many times painful and difficult for a medical professional to prove with tangible evidence that a victim is suffering. Besides that, these injuries can have long-term consequences, as well as spinal cord injuries, which can impair a victim's life.
2. Intersection Accidents
Distracted drivers often fail to yield the right of way or miss traffic signals and signs at intersections. Statistics showed 499 accidents caused by failing to yield the right of way.
This can result in T-bone or broadside collisions, where one vehicle strikes another on the side. Injuries in these accidents can be significant, including head trauma, chest injuries, and broken bones.
3. Sideswipe Accidents
Sideswipe accidents occur when two vehicles traveling parallel to each other collide, typically due to a distracted driver drifting out of their lane. While these accidents may be less severe than others, they can still result in injuries, particularly if one of the vehicles loses control and hits an object or another vehicle.
Imagine a two-lane street, and there is a distracted driver in the right lane. If there is a curve to the right, a distracted driver not paying attention to the road may invade the left lane, impacting any car traveling through it.
4. Pedestrian and Cyclist Accidents
Distracted driving poses a threat not only to other motorists but also to pedestrians and cyclists. A distracted driver may fail to notice pedestrians in crosswalks or cyclists sharing the road.
These accidents can lead to severe injuries or even fatalities for those outside a vehicle. Pedestrian and cyclist accidents happen a lot in the city where there are many people trying to cross the streets.
5. Single-Vehicle Accidents
Distracted driving can also lead to single-vehicle accidents. A distracted driver may veer off the road, strike a stationary object, or overturn their vehicle. Injuries in these accidents can vary widely, from minor cuts and bruises to more severe injuries such as head trauma or internal organ damage.
How New York State Law Addresses Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a serious concern that jeopardizes the safety of both drivers and pedestrians on the roads of Yonkers, New York. To combat this issue, New York State has implemented strict laws and penalties to deter drivers from distracting behaviors while operating a vehicle.
New York State enforces severe penalties for distracted driving offenses. Drivers caught using handheld electronic devices, such as cell phones, while driving can face fines, points on their driver's license, and potential increases in insurance premiums. Repeat offenders may face even more stringent consequences, including license suspension or revocation.
Furthermore, if a distracted driver causes an accident resulting in injuries or fatalities, they can be held liable for the damages and injuries sustained by the victims. This can lead to substantial financial obligations, including compensation for medical expenses, property damage, pain and suffering, and other related costs.
In New York, it is illegal to use a handheld electronic device while driving, including talking on a phone, texting, or using other functionalities like browsing the internet. The law is designed to address the visual, manual, and cognitive distractions associated with using these devices while operating a vehicle.
Penalties for violating cell phone laws in New York can be severe. A first-time offense may result in fines ranging from $50 to $200, with five points added to the driver's license. Subsequent offenses within an 18-month can lead to increased fines and potentially a license suspension.
Texting while driving is particularly dangerous and strictly prohibited. Offenders can face fines and the same points on their license as with cell phone use. Additionally, new drivers with a learner's permit or junior license are subject to stricter restrictions and face a 120-day suspension for a first offense and a one-year revocation for subsequent offenses.
Types of Compensation Available
When a person becomes a victim of a distracted driving accident in Yonkers, they may be entitled to various forms of compensation to help alleviate the physical, emotional, and financial burdens they face.
1. Medical Expenses
Victims of distracted driving accidents often face significant medical bills. This can include costs for emergency medical care, hospital stays, surgeries, medication, rehabilitation, and ongoing medical treatment.
Compensation for medical expenses aims to cover these costs, ensuring that victims receive the necessary care and treatment without bearing the financial burden.
2. Property Damage
In many accidents, vehicles and personal property may be damaged or destroyed. Compensation for property damage can help cover the costs of repairs or replacement of the damaged items, including vehicles, personal belongings, and other assets affected by the accident.
3. Lost Wages and Income
Serious injuries can result in the victim's inability to work, leading to lost wages and income. Compensation for lost wages aims to provide financial support for the period during which the victim is unable to work. This can also include future lost earning potential if the injuries result in long-term or permanent disabilities.
4. Pain and Suffering
Physical injuries from a distracted driving accident can lead to significant pain and suffering. This category of compensation is designed to address the emotional and psychological toll of the accident, including pain, discomfort, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and any diminished quality of life experienced by the victim.
5. Wrongful Death Damages
Tragically, distracted driving accidents can lead to fatal outcomes. In such cases, the surviving family members may be entitled to compensation for wrongful death.
This compensation can include funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, loss of companionship, and other damages associated with the untimely death of a loved one.
Make sure to have help from a Yonkers distracted driving accident attorney when you want to recover compensation from your accident. That way, you will be sure that the money you receive will be the fairest amount possible.
Contact a Yonkers Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer
When the circumstances of your distracted driving accident are overwhelming, and you are confused and hurt, you need the assistance of a distracted driving lawyer.
The Ward Law Group can provide you with the finest lawyers to represent your best interests, whether with an insurance company trying to settle an amount with you or if it is a representation in court in front of a judge.
We can communicate with you in your mother tongue. There´s no such language barrier; we can listen and understand what you say. Contact us now at 855-DOLOR-55 for a free consultation on your case.