Canton car accident attorneys handle several distracted driving cases. Essentially, distracted driving occurs when an object or activity takes your mind off your driving. When this happens, your accident risk significantly increases. For instance, the NHTSA reported that distracted driving claimed 3,142 lives in 2019.
Fortunately, you don’t have to bear the financial consequences of a Canton distracted driving crash. Instead, Georgia law allows you to recover compensation from the fault driver. An excellent Canton car accident attorney can help you get these damages. So, it’ll be best to contact The Weinstein Firm today for an initial consultation.
6 Tips for Avoiding Distracted Driving
Distracted driving can cause devastating injuries. In addition, distracted driving fatalities are also frequent. That’s why you should pay attention to the tips below. They can help stem the tide of distracted driving collisions.
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Switch Off Your Mobile Gadgets When Driving
Smartphones and other mobile devices are the major causes of distracted driving. Therefore, it’ll be best to turn off these gadgets while driving. Switching off your cell phone means you can’t see any calls or text messages. So, you won’t be tempted to reply or answer them.
In addition, it’ll help to keep your gadgets out of reach. This is especially necessary if you cannot turn them off. Notably, too, your phone can yet be a distraction if you’re using hands-free technology.
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Reduce Passenger Number and In-Car Activity
It’s also necessary to reduce the number of passengers in your car. Multiple passengers increase the chances of interaction. It may be unclear how several passengers affect the driver’s attention. However, many vehicle occupants mean that the driver will continuously engage in discussions.
These seemingly harmless engagements can then divert the driver’s attention. For example, imagine a teenager driving with many other teens. The endless teen banter won’t let the driver concentrate. Finally, multiple activities going on in a vehicle can distract the driver. Therefore, it’ll be best if the passengers limit their movements and interactions within the car.
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Ask Passengers for Help
Many times, legitimate activities distract Canton drivers. However, they could avoid the resulting accidents by outsourcing those responsibilities. All such a driver needs to do is ask a passenger for help. While the passenger helps you, you can then focus on driving. Notably, vehicle passengers can aid drivers with several tasks. These include:
- Operating the car’s media system
- Wiping the windshield
- Making calls
- Attending to fellow passengers
- Adjusting some of the vehicle’s settings
Essentially, a passenger can perform any function that doesn’t require the driver’s expertise.
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Avoid Multitasking While Driving
Many people pride themselves on their multitasking abilities. However, it’ll be best never to multitask while driving. Instead, you’ll be safer if you focus on just driving. Canton motorists multitask while driving in the following ways:
- Grooming, especially applying make-up while driving
- Counting money for various purposes, including settling toll gates
- Making calls and sending messages
- Conversing and carrying on other activities in the vehicle
- Adjusting the vehicle’s heating and cooling system, GPS, internal and side mirrors, seats, and other gadgets
Avoiding multitasking will thus involve ensuring you conclude these tasks before getting into the driver’s seat.
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Pull Over When Necessary
Indeed, Canton drivers often have legitimate needs to perform other functions while driving. For example, parents sometimes need to text or call their nannies. A business owner on a road trip may also need to reply to an urgent message from work. These are all legitimate sources of distraction.
Furthermore, you may not have the option of postponing these responsibilities. That’s why it’ll be best to pull over to the roadside. After you’ve settled the issue, you can continue driving.
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Prepare for Your Trip
Finally, the surest means of avoiding distractions while driving is to adequately prepare for and plan your trip. This would include completing any activities that may come up as you drive. For instance, you can settle with anyone who may have to call you when you start driving. Unfortunately, many drivers only plan for long-distance journeys. This is sad because distractions on short trips can also cause significant crashes.
Call Canton Car Accident Lawyers After Distracted Driving Collisions
Have you been in a Canton car crash? Do you think the other driver was distracted? If you’re right, you may be eligible for compensation. However, distracted driving doesn’t make the compensation process easier. You still need the best Canton car accident attorneys for maximum financial recovery.
Fortunately, The Weinstein Firm has the lawyers you need. Our attorneys have several decades of experience in winning car accident claims. So, we can hold the distracted driver responsible for their carelessness. All you have to do is call us today for a FREE consultation.