Distracted driving is dangerous because a motorist’s complete attention should be on the road. Cellphone use, changing the music, eating and drinking, and engaging with passengers are common forms of distracted driving. Distracted driving causes many car accidents each day in the United States, and the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has seemingly exacerbated the problem.
Zendrive is a data analysis company that has developed a software development kit (SDK) that collects transportation data from a phone’s sensors, including the start and end time of the drive, speed, collision, and more. It uploads the data to servers for analysis. Zendrive recently completed a mobility analysis of data from 86,000 collisions that happened in the U.S. in 2020. It found that various crashes involved distracted driving behaviors, such as texting while driving. The study found that more than 16 percent of drivers were using their cellphone within five seconds prior to a car accident. The rates of these crashes increased toward the end of the year when more vehicles were back on the roads.
Knowing what causes distracted driving can help minimize accidents. Sometimes, it is not possible to avoid situations. However, being aware of scenarios that cause distracted driving can lead to changes in behavior. A motorist should avoid driving while tired, hungry, or upset, and safely pull over to rest, eat, or calm down. A driver should commit to putting away their cellphone as well, and only drive when they are sober. In Delaware, penalties begin when a driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC) level is at 0.08 percent.
There are a series of steps that are important to take after being in a car crash. It is important to remain at the scene while also trying to move the vehicle out of the path of traffic. Check the condition of the vehicle and other victims involved. If someone else is hurt, those who are uninjured are expected to assist if it is possible.
Call 9-1-1 to report the crash. Let the operator know the location of the crash, include the direction and close intersections, mile markers, or landmarks, to help identify the exact location. Let the operator know if someone needs immediate medical attention.
Demarcate the area by lighting it with the vehicle’s flashing lights or flares. Alternatively, use a flashlight to signal for help, and alert others about the disabled vehicle.
Use a cellphone to take photographs of the damage and important aspects of the scene of the crash, such as weather conditions. If witnesses have stopped to help, ask for their contact information, this may be needed later for evidence.
Exchange information with other parties involved and with the police, including names and license and insurance information.
Distracted driving is a serious issue in the United States. If you were injured by a distracted driver, an experienced Delaware car accident lawyer at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. can help you with your case. For a free consultation, contact us online or call us at 302-656-5445. Located in Wilmington and Millsboro, Delaware, we serve clients throughout Dover, New Castle County, and Sussex County.