Drivers have to ensure that their attention is always on driving, but many drivers feel they can multitask without consequence. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case because distractions can impair a driver’s ability to operate their vehicle safely.
Many things can distract drivers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has three distinct categories for distractions—cognitive, visual and manual. While some distractions fall solely into one of those categories, some fall into more than one.
What do the three categories mean?
Cognitive distractions affect the driver’s ability to think. Thinking about problems at work or situations at home can both lead to this type of distraction.
Visual distractions force the driver to take their eyes off the road. Looking at billboards or glancing at a child in the backseat are examples of visual distractions.
Manual distractions lead to the driver taking their hands off the steering wheel. Eating something or reaching to grab something are manual distractions.
Using a cellphone is an example of a distraction that encompasses all three categories. The driver has to pick up the phone, which is a manual distraction, and look at it to read the message, which is a visual distraction. They also have to think about what the message said and how to respond, which is a cognitive distraction.
Victims of distracted driving crashes should ensure that they get the medical care they need. They may need long-term medical care, which can be costly, but it’s critical that they get what they need. This can be costly, and it may come at a time when they can’t return to work as they were prior to the crash.
Those victims may opt to pursue a compensation claim, but this must be done quickly after the crash. It may be beneficial for them to work with someone familiar with these matters so they can get their case moving forward.
