On Behalf of Simon & Gilman, LLP | Jan 23, 2019 | Firm News
The demands of modern life can make people feel like they need to be in two places at once. It’s no wonder that so many people divide their attention between more than one thing at a time. This process, called multitasking, can help people survive in the cutthroat modern workforce.
However, the practice of multitasking doesn’t help you survive when you are driving somewhere. In fact, it could increase your chance of experiencing a serious car crash. While you may know better and keep your focus on arriving safely, other drivers are likely attempting to multi-task at the wheel.
Every day, you probably cross paths with several people who are doing things like texting at the wheel or dialing their phone. You could end up involved in a crash that leaves you with serious injuries or major property damage as a result of someone else’s distraction. After all, distraction remains the leading cause of car crashes.
People know that they shouldn’t drive and text at the same time
For more than a decade, law enforcement and mainstream media have been aggressively warning the public about the risks of texting at the wheel. Much like drunk driving, people acknowledge that distracted driving is incredibly dangerous. Unfortunately, they seem to think that they have some secret to engaging in this dangerous habit safely.
Whether people think that they can split their attention between their phone and the road or just that they are good enough at driving that it won’t matter, the overestimation of their ability to handle the vehicle while texting could have tragic results.
New York has rules against phones in the car
In order to keep people safe on the road, New York has rules and laws in place that govern what people can (and can’t) do behind the wheel. Texting while driving is against the law in New York. So is the practice of manually handling a phone for any purpose at the wheel.
Even if you use hands-free devices, your mind and focus will still be on something other than the task at hand. It’s best to wait until you arrive. Turn off your ringer if you can’t avoid temptation when you hear your phone ping with a new message.
Distracted driving is unquestionably a form of negligence
It takes total focus to safely operate a motor vehicle. Despite the fact that most drivers understand the dangers involved, they may still choose to glance down at an email or a text on the road. If you have reason to suspect that another driver was looking at their phone when they caused a crash, you may have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit.
Discussing your situation with an experienced attorney is a good first step toward figuring out what rights you have after a distracted driver injures you or damages your property.
Connect with us
