Worldwide, 1.2 million people perish in car accidents every year. Among the top causes of car crash include speeding, drunk driving, violation of traffic signs, poor weather conditions, reckless driving, distracted driving and more. Distracted drivers are, in fact, the leading cause of car accidents, accounting for 10% of all road carnage during 2014. Many factors could cause a driver to be distracted while driving. Examples include but not limited to smoking, moving objects, eating or drinking, other occupants, mobile use, watching videos, adjusting the stereo, applying makeup and getting lost in thoughts.
While all these factors are known to some level of distraction, research has found out that texting is most likely the greatest source of distraction because it commands the ability of a driver to look and operate a phone while thinking what to text. This reduces the driver’s ability to focus on the road, which could potentially lead to an accident.
Although you may understand the risks of distracted driving and you’re doing everything possible to be safe on the road, some things are just beyond your realm of control. If you’ve been involved in an accident, whether you are sure it’s a case of distracted driving or not, there are important steps you need to follow and they include.
Assess your injuries
After an accident has occurred, the first and most important thing to do is to determine if you and any of your passengers are okay. Your safety is very paramount in this case.
Contant the Police
Whether the accident is minor or a major one, you have to call the police and report the matter. In case there are injuries, request for an ambulance. The officials will record your statement, damages and any injuries if present. It’s also advisable to remain within the area until the police arrive.
Gather information
As you wait for the police to arrive, you could be collecting relevant details that could help build up your case. Such information includes insurance, contact details of the party at fault, vehicle registration number, witness names among others. However, some distracted drivers involved in accidents will often try to flee the accident area. So you need to watch out for that.
Take photos
To solidify your case, you need to take photos of the vehicles involved in the accident. It’s also vital to record the current weather and road conditions at that time when the accident has occurred. Take note of any traffic signs around, the exact date and time of the accident and anything that could be of importance.
Contact a lawyer
Regardless of who is at fault, you need the legal backing of an experienced attorney. Consider seeking the services of personal injury attorneys who are more conversant with car accidents and cases that involve distracted drivers.
However, distracted driving cases can be very tricky since you have to prove that the driver was actually distracted, leading to the accident. In instances, the driver can admit to being negligent on the road, meaning that the case will most likely go in your favor. With these steps, you know exactly what to do in the event of a car accident, and not just a distracted driving related accident.
