As technology advances, smartphones have become integral to our daily lives. However, with the increased use of smartphones, there has also been a rise in car accidents caused by distracted driving. As the leading car accident lawyers in Seattle, Bernard Law Group has seen firsthand the devastating effects of these accidents on individuals and families.
Distracted driving has become a major concern for road safety. From texting and social media scrolling to using GPS navigation and even taking selfies, the constant need to stay connected on our phones has led many drivers to lose focus on the road.
Read on to learn how smartphones are contributing to car accidents in Seattle.
Texting While Driving
In Washington, it’s illegal to use a handheld device while driving. This law aims to reduce distractions and improve safety on the roads. Texting while driving is particularly dangerous because it requires you to take your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel, and your mind off driving. This creates a trifecta of distraction that significantly increases the risk of accidents.
Drivers may miss important traffic signals, fail to notice changes in road conditions or overlook other vehicles and pedestrians, which can result in serious accidents and even fatalities.
Browsing Social Media
Checking notifications or scrolling through social media feeds while driving can be incredibly dangerous. When drivers glance at their phones to catch up on updates, they take their eyes off the road. Even a few seconds of distraction can lead to severe accidents. Staying focused is crucial in a city like Seattle, where traffic is often heavy.
As experienced car accident lawyers in Seattle, we have seen numerous cases where drivers were distracted by social media and caused serious accidents. It’s essential to remember that checking your phone while driving is not worth risking your life or the lives of others on the road.
Misuse of GPS Navigation
While smartphones can provide essential navigation assistance, constantly interacting with the device to adjust routes can lead to dangerous distractions. It’s safer to set your destination before driving or use voice-activated commands to ensure your focus remains on the road.
Frequent Route Adjustments
Continuously changing routes on a GPS device requires taking your eyes off the road. Each glance at your phone increases the risk of missing important traffic signals or failing to notice other vehicles. This behavior significantly raises the likelihood of accidents, especially in busy areas like Seattle.
Complex Routes and Sudden Turns
When drivers attempt to follow complex directions that involve sudden turns and lane changes, the risk of accidents increases. The need to pay attention to detailed instructions can cause drivers to become overly focused on the GPS, causing them to miss crucial visual cues in the environment. This distraction can result in wrong turns or collisions.
Lag and Signal Loss
Sometimes, a GPS may lag or lose signal, causing delayed instructions. Drivers might then attempt to fix the device or recalibrate their driving route, diverting attention from the task at hand. This delay in response time can lead to sudden stops or unexpected maneuvers, endangering everyone on the road.
Video Calls
Engaging in video calls while driving can significantly impair a driver’s focus. When making a video call, you must look at the screen and hold the phone, which diverts your attention from the road. In Washington, the law bans all handheld phone use, including video calls, to prevent these distractions.
Drivers sometimes underestimate the risks of using handheld devices for video calls while on the road. Even a brief moment of looking away can result in missing traffic signals or failing to notice pedestrians crossing. It is crucial to avoid video calls while driving and ensure that your full concentration remains on the road ahead.
If you’ve been involved in an accident with a distracted driver, you are probably searching for an auto accident attorney near me. Bernard Law Group is here to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Streaming Music or Videos
With the convenience of streaming music and videos on smartphones, many drivers risk being distracted by browsing playlists or watching online clips. This behavior can lead to serious safety hazards because drivers are not fully attentive to their surroundings.
The impact of streaming music or videos while driving can result in various types of accidents, including:
- Rear-end collisions: Drivers may not notice when the vehicle in front of them slows down or stops, leading to a rear-end crash.
- Side-swiping incidents: Drivers not paying attention to lane positioning might drift into adjacent lanes, side-swiping other vehicles.
- Intersection accidents: Distracted drivers may fail to obey traffic signals or signs, increasing the chances of collisions at intersections.
- Single-vehicle crashes: Drivers who are not entirely focused may lose control or misjudge curves and turns, leading to off-road accidents or hitting stationary objects.
It’s vital to understand that listening to music or watching videos while operating a vehicle can endanger the driver, passengers, other motorists, and pedestrians.
Checking Emails while Driving
Responding to or reading emails while driving can cause significant cognitive distraction. This means that your mind is not fully focused on driving, increasing the chances of accidents. Washington law considers this a dangerous practice and has banned all handheld phone use while behind the wheel.
One of the first things you must do after being involved in an accident with a distracted driver is to find the right lawyer. With the help of our car accident lawyers in Seattle, you can navigate the legal process and get the compensation you deserve for your injuries and damages.
Don’t Fall Victim to Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a prevalent and dangerous issue that affects countless people each day. By following the laws and avoiding distractions behind the wheel, you can significantly reduce your risk of being involved in an accident.
However, if you are involved in a distracted driving accident, our Seattle car accident lawyers can help you.
