Types of Crashes Caused by Distracted Drivers

Distracted driving is dangerous driving. Driving is a complex task that should occupy the driver’s full attention. While we all know that checking our smartphones while we drive is both distracting and dangerous, many people continue to engage in such careless behaviors. The increase in distracted driving with the rise of mobile technology has contributed to increased accidents on our highways and byways.

Driving While Distracted

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that a driver is considered to be distracted when her attention is focused on any activity other than the main task of driving. Distractions are divided into three basic classifications, which include manual distractions (removing your hands from the wheel), visual distractions (looking anywhere but the road), and cognitive distractions (thinking about something other than driving). Texting is considered one of the most dangerous forms of distracted driving because it engages all three classifications of distraction.

Distracted Driving and Collisions

There are several kinds of collisions frequently associated with distracted driving:

• Rear-end Collisions: A rear-end collision occurs when a vehicle crashes into the vehicle in front of it. The NHTSA found that most vehicular collisions are rear-end accidents and these account for about 29 percent of accidents nationally. Distracted driving is closely associated with rear-end crashes, which can range from quite minor to very serious accidents (depending on the speed of impact) and commonly lead to whiplash, spinal injuries, head injuries, facial lacerations, and leg, ankle, and knee injuries.
• Side-impact Collisions: A side-impact or T-Bone collision occurs when one vehicle hits another perpendicularly (as often happens at intersections). Such accidents are often the result of a driver running a red light or stop sign or failing to yield when turning, which commonly occurs when a driver is not paying adequate attention due to distraction. Side-impact accidents are often quite serious and can result in whiplash, neck injuries, head injuries, abdominal injuries, spinal injuries, lacerations, and many other serious conditions.
• Head-on Collision: A head-on or frontal impact collision occurs when one vehicle plows headlong into another vehicle or solid object; the sheer force involved can be extremely dangerous. Like the other accident categories, frontal impact collisions are closely associated with distracted driving. Head-on collisions generally cause injuries similar to those caused by side-impact collisions but—depending on the speeds involved —can be even more serious.

Contact an Experienced Houston Personal Car Accident Attorney Today

If you or someone you care about has been injured in a car accident caused by a distracted driver, seek immediate medical attention and then speak with an experienced Houston lawyer about your rights and options. At the office of Trust Guss Injury Lawyers, we help clients in and around the Houston area receive the compensation they deserve from negligent drivers. We can assist with an insurance claim or personal injury litigation if needed. Please call us for a free consultation to discuss how we may help you.