June 24, 2014

When Driver Negligence Causes Car Accidents: What You Need to Know (Pt. 2)

Picking up from where When Driver Negligence Causes Car Accidents: What You Need to Know (Pt. 1) left off, below we will continue our discussion of how driver negligence contributes to car accidents and what victims should know about their rights in these cases.

Distracted driving and driving while fatigued are two common forms of driver negligence that commonly contribute to car accidents, injuries and deaths.

Distracted driving and driving while fatigued are two common forms of driver negligence that commonly contribute to car accidents, injuries and deaths.

Driver Negligence: Distracted Driving

Many motorists regularly divert their attention away from the road and the task of driving, as they may want to try to multitask while they are behind the wheel. Research has shown, however, that:

  • Distracted driving can be as dangerous and deadly as drunk driving.
  • It only takes seconds for car accidents to happen when motorists’ are not paying attention to the road, especially if they are driving at faster speeds and/or on more highly trafficked roadways.

While any number of actions – like for instance eating or using GPS – can result in driver distraction, the use of cellphones and other handheld mobile devices has been the most common and problematic cause of distracted driving-related accidents over the past five or so years.

In fact, according to data published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the National Safety Council (NSC):

  • About 23 percent of all car accidents involve at least one driver using their cellphone immediately prior to the accident.
  • The use of cellphones while driving is a factor in more than 1.6 million car accidents that take place in the U.S. annually.
  • The risks associated with the use of cellphones while driving are similar to those that arise after drivers have consumed about 4 alcoholic beverages.

When distracted driving is found to have contributed to a car accident, the distracted driver can be held responsible for compensating accident victims for their injuries and losses.

Driver Negligence: Driving while Fatigued

Although driving while fatigued is more of a problem among commercial drivers (like truck drivers), it can also be a danger for the motorists operating passenger vehicles, especially if these drivers are traveling long distances. Regardless of who is driving while fatigued and why they are doing it, researchers have found that this negligent practice can be as dangerous as drunk driving.

In fact, the findings are that, when motorists try to drive after being awake for at least 24 consecutive hours, their level impairment is generally similar to that of people who have blood alcohol concentrations of 0.10, which is well above the legal limit of 0.08.

When driving while fatigued is a factor in causing car accidents, the negligent drivers can be on the hook for compensating accident victims.

Be sure to look for the upcoming conclusion to this blog!

Denver Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyers at Cristiano Law, LLC

If you have been injured in a traffic accident, the Denver motor vehicle accident attorneys at Cristiano Law, LLC are ready to put their experience and resources to work for you.

For more than 33 years, our dedicated and trusted lawyers have been upholding the belief that the practice of law is a helping profession. Whether inside or outside of the courtroom, our Denver motor vehicle accidentattorneys will always stand up for our clients’ rights, will provide them with honest answers about their case and will work vigorously to help them secure the best possible outcomes to their important legal matters.

You Are Invited to an Initial Consult to Learn More…

To set up an initial consultation with one of our attorneys, call us at (303) 407-1777 or email us using the form on this page.

Evening and weekend appointments are available for your convenience, and our attorneys can commute to your city or town to meet you to ensure that you get the legal help you need wherever you may need it.

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