Auto Accidents – Control What You Can

DistractedDriving3

Auto accidents happen far more often than we would like, but despite measures to prevent them, they will still occur. We cannot account for all scenarios and ensure perfect driving conditions all the time, and even in the best of circumstances, unexpected things happen. While we cannot do much about many factors that contribute to accidents – bad weather, other drivers, unexpected vehicle problems – we can and should take steps to minimize factors that are within our control, such as driver behavior. One of the most frequent causes of auto accidents these days is distracted driving – in particular, cell phone usage and texting. Participating in these activities greatly increases the chances of being involved in an accident and are completely within your own control to stop.

What Does Distracted Driving Mean?

Distracted driving includes anything that takes your attention off the task of driving – this can include visual, manual, or cognitive distraction. Looking away from the road, taking your hands off the wheel, or thinking about things other than your driving are all forms of distracted driving. Using a cell phone, particularly for texting, includes components of all three of these – holding the phone, looking at the screen, and reading that text or composing your own all combine into one of the most dangerous things you can do behind the wheel. Studies show that, on average, composing a single text takes about five seconds to do. It sounds like a short time, but in those five seconds you can easily travel the distance of an entire football field when driving at higher rates of speed such as 55 miles per hour.

Alabama’s Stance On Texting While Driving

There is no federal ban on using a cell phone while driving, but most states have passed laws that ban at least some types of cell phone usage while behind the wheel. Though to date there has not been a ban on all cell phone usage in the state, Alabama is one of the states that has banned all texting while driving – for all drivers.

Distracted Driving – Is It Really That Big An Issue?

The dangers of distracted driving simply cannot be overstated. According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), eighteen percent of all crashes that occurred in 2014 in which victims sustained injuries involved distracted driving. Looking at percentages is bad enough, but when you look at the actual numbers and see that this eighteen percent means that nearly 3200 people were killed and well over 400,000 people were injured, it is alarming.

Legal Help From Cloud Willis & Ellis, LLC

When you need to get answers to your legal questions about personal injury matters, Cloud Willis & Ellis, LLC, is here to help. Our Birmingham personal injury attorneys have the experience you can count on to ensure you get the relief you need and the results you deserve. From the moment you meet with your attorney, you and your legal matter are our priority. Contact the office of Cloud Willis & Ellis, LLC today to get moving towards recovery.

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Auto Accidents – Control What You Can

DistractedDriving3

Auto accidents happen far more often than we would like, but despite measures to prevent them, they will still occur. We cannot account for all scenarios and ensure perfect driving conditions all the time, and even in the best of circumstances, unexpected things happen. While we cannot do much about many factors that contribute to accidents – bad weather, other drivers, unexpected vehicle problems – we can and should take steps to minimize factors that are within our control, such as driver behavior. One of the most frequent causes of auto accidents these days is distracted driving – in particular, cell phone usage and texting. Participating in these activities greatly increases the chances of being involved in an accident and are completely within your own control to stop.

What Does Distracted Driving Mean?

Distracted driving includes anything that takes your attention off the task of driving – this can include visual, manual, or cognitive distraction. Looking away from the road, taking your hands off the wheel, or thinking about things other than your driving are all forms of distracted driving. Using a cell phone, particularly for texting, includes components of all three of these – holding the phone, looking at the screen, and reading that text or composing your own all combine into one of the most dangerous things you can do behind the wheel. Studies show that, on average, composing a single text takes about five seconds to do. It sounds like a short time, but in those five seconds you can easily travel the distance of an entire football field when driving at higher rates of speed such as 55 miles per hour.

Alabama’s Stance On Texting While Driving

There is no federal ban on using a cell phone while driving, but most states have passed laws that ban at least some types of cell phone usage while behind the wheel. Though to date there has not been a ban on all cell phone usage in the state, Alabama is one of the states that has banned all texting while driving – for all drivers.

Distracted Driving – Is It Really That Big An Issue?

The dangers of distracted driving simply cannot be overstated. According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), eighteen percent of all crashes that occurred in 2014 in which victims sustained injuries involved distracted driving. Looking at percentages is bad enough, but when you look at the actual numbers and see that this eighteen percent means that nearly 3200 people were killed and well over 400,000 people were injured, it is alarming.

Legal Help From Cloud Willis & Ellis, LLC

When you need to get answers to your legal questions about personal injury matters, Cloud Willis & Ellis, LLC, is here to help. Our Birmingham personal injury attorneys have the experience you can count on to ensure you get the relief you need and the results you deserve. From the moment you meet with your attorney, you and your legal matter are our priority. Contact the office of Cloud Willis & Ellis, LLC today to get moving towards recovery.

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