Common Causes of Distracted Driving Car Accidents near Greenville, SC

Why do auto accidents happen? You may be able to think of many reasons, but in general, there are two very broad categories of accident causes. The first one, and the one most often responsible for auto accidents, is “driver error.” This could mean any number of things, so typically, this category is further divided into several subcategories. Among these, one cause of “driver error” stands out as the most common culprit in auto accidents by a long way. Can you guess what it is? If you’ve read the title of this article, you probably have a good idea: distracted driving in Greenville, South Carolina is responsible for more car accidents than any other form of driver error.

What is distracted driving and why does it cause so many Greenville, SC car accidents? The most common instance is probably texting and driving, but there are other examples as well. Even worse, it’s something that all of us are guilty of from time to time. Life moves very fast in the 21st century, and many people multitask behind the wheel. However, this is a practice which injures hundreds of thousands of people each year, and those numbers are rising.

What Are the Causes of Distracted Driving Car Accidents in Greenville, SC?

In order to curb the epidemic of distracted driving car accidents in and around Greenville South Carolina, it is necessary to understand their causes. Anything from eating fries, spilling coffee, to reading a book (we’re not joking) are distractions that plague motorists in our state. Here are some of the most common.

Texting and driving: In Greenville, SC, as well as across the country, people using their mobile devices to talk or text their friends and family is the number one cause for distracted driving car accidents. According to data from the National Safety Council, talking or texting and driving accidents account for more than a quarter of all vehicle accidents in the country.

Navigation: In the past, it was necessary to find your way around using landmarks, street signs, and, on longer trips, a road map. Today, many drivers depend upon their trusty GPS to guide them where they want to go – whether they are going across the country for a vacation or across town for a milkshake. It may seem innocuous, but setting up a navigation route while driving is a seriously dangerous distraction. Taking your eyes off the road for a few seconds can lead to a serious car accident in Greenville, SC, and in this regard, GPS navigation systems can be just as dangerous as texting and driving in Greenville.

Putting on Makeup, or Grooming in General: For decades, this is been a very common practice among many people. The existence of mirrors within the car provides an opportunity to put the finishing touches on your look, such as applying lipstick, doing your hair, or performing other such tasks. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that these activities are dangerous and can lead to distracted driving car accidents in Greenville, SC. Not only does this take your eyes off the road, but touching up that blush requires that you take your hands off the wheel, too. It doesn’t matter how well you think you can steer with your knees – you can’t.

Talking to Passengers: This may not seem like a common cause of distracted driving accidents in Greenville, South Carolina, but it is. Talking to your passengers feels only natural – talk all you like. However, getting animated, using your hands, or worse, taking your eyes off the road to look your passengers in the eye during the conversation can lead to disaster. Paying attention to the road in front of you should be your number one priority. Anything else can cause a distracted driving car accident that puts you and your loved ones at risk of serious injury.

What Should I Do if I Was Injured in a Texting and Driving or Distracted Driving Car Accident in Greenville, South Carolina?

The first and most important thing to do any time you are involved in a car accident, whether or not you believe you are injured, is to report the accident to the police and seek medical care. Then, get contact information from the other drivers and witnesses. Finally, contact a knowledgeable and experienced car accident injury attorney like those at the law offices of Hernandez & Cabra. Our lawyers have experience with distracted driving accidents including texting and driving accidents in Greenville, SC, and we can help you to ensure that you receive a just and fair settlement for your injuries and other damages.