Texting and Other Types of Distracted Driving
Texting while driving is one of the most well-known forms of distracted driving, but there are several other forms out there. Being aware of these different types of distracted driving can help you avoid them yourself and may help you if you ever find yourself in a car accident with a distracted driver. Knowing how the other driver was distracted could strengthen your personal injury claim or lawsuit. This can help you receive significant compensation for your damages. To learn more, contact a Delaware car accident lawyer to explore your legal options.
TYPES OF DISTRACTED DRIVING
There are three main types of distracted driving to be aware of while traveling Delaware roads. These include visual, manual, and cognitive types of distracted driving. Since some behaviors during driving can be complicated, these three types of distractions tend to overlap depending on the behavior.
For example, texting while driving can involve all three types of distracted driving because texting involves taking your eyes off the road to look at a phone, hands off the wheel to text, 
and mind away from driving to thinking about the text you are either reading or are going to be sending. Visual distractions involve any behavior that takes your eyes from the road longer than a few seconds.
Other types of visual distractions include searching for something that fell on the floor, messing with a GPS, doing makeup, or being overly focused on the radio. Manual distractions take your hands off the steering wheel. This could mean trying to reach for something a good distance away, eating or drinking, and searching through a purse or other bag.
Cognitive distractions take your mind off of driving and from what other vehicles are doing on the road around you. This can happen during heated arguments over the phone or with passengers, with outbursts of road rage, and being under the influence of a substance like alcohol.
WHAT TO DO AFTER A DISTRACTED DRIVING ACCIDENT
When a car accident is caused by a distracted driver and you can find a way to prove this, you could be eligible for significant compensation. In 2018, there were a total of 2,841 lives lost to distracted driving with an estimated 400,000 injuries in the United States.
The first thing you should do after the accident is call 911 so you can obtain an official police report. This will also prevent liability issues if anyone happens to be injured. You may also have injuries that do not show up right away that can be detected by paramedics. Take pictures of your injuries and the wreckage. Keep a copy of your medical records for your personal injury claim.
CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER IN DELAWARE
Collecting evidence for a distracted driving accident is not always easy without the help of a car accident lawyer. Depending on what happened, you may be able to receive compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages. Do not hesitate to speak with a Delaware personal injury lawyer if this accident has caused you serious losses. Call Edelstein Martin & Nelson at (302) 295-5050 for a free consultation today.
