Eating while driving can be a tempting way to multitask and save time, but it can also be a major cause of accidents on the road. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that eating and drinking can increase one’s chances of being involved in a motor vehicle accident by as much as 80%. It's thus important for drivers to understand the risks of eating while driving and take steps to avoid it in order to keep themselves and others safe on the road.
Eating While Driving: More Dangerous Than Many Realize
One of the main ways that eating while driving can cause an accident is by distracting the driver. When we eat, our attention is naturally focused on the food, rather than the road. This can lead to a phenomenon known as "inattention blindness," in which the driver fails to see important visual cues, such as stop signs or pedestrians, because their attention is focused elsewhere. Inattention blindness can be especially dangerous when it occurs at high speeds or in busy areas, as it can lead to serious accidents.
In addition to distracting the driver, eating while driving can also cause an accident by obstructing the driver's view. When we eat, we tend to bring our food up close to our face, which can block our view of the road. This can be particularly dangerous when the driver is trying to merge onto the highway or make a turn, as they may not be able to see other vehicles or pedestrians in their path.
Eating while driving can also cause an accident by causing the driver to lose control of their vehicle. This can happen if the driver tries to eat while steering with one hand, or if they become so focused on their food that they lose control of the vehicle. For example, if a driver is trying to unwrap a messy sandwich while driving, they may take their eyes off the road or let go of the steering wheel to do so, increasing the risk of an accident occurring.
Finally, eating while driving can also lead to accidents by causing the driver to spill or drop their food. If a driver spills a hot drink or drops a piece of food onto their lap while driving, they may be distracted or startled, leading to an accident. Even if the driver is able to quickly clean up the spill or retrieve the dropped food, the distraction may have already caused an accident to occur.
Overall, eating while driving can cause an accident by distracting the driver, obstructing their view, causing them to lose control of their vehicle, or causing them to spill or drop their food. It's important for drivers to be aware of these risks and avoid eating while driving in order to keep themselves and others safe on the road. Instead, drivers should make sure to pull over to a safe location if they need to eat or drink while on the road.
Contact a Santa Monica Car Accident Lawyer
Even if you avoid unsafe habits like eating while driving, you can’t prevent others from being careless. If you’ve been involved in an accident resulting from the negligence of another driver, our team at Randolph & Associates can help you pursue the compensation you may deserve. Learn more by contacting us online today.
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Cellphones have introduced a new degree of convenience and flexibility. People can communicate with family and friends that live thousands of miles away with just the touch of a button. Because of the convenience, many people feel capable of operating their phones while they do other tasks, such as driving.
Using a cellphone while driving a vehicle immediately endangers the operator, any passengers in the vehicle and other nearby motorists. People who understand the grave danger of using their phones while driving their cars may see why this single decision could potentially produce fatal results.
Even answering a quick text message requires people to take their eyes off of the road. When traveling forward, this momentary distraction can have detrimental results. During the time a driver looks away, he or she may encounter road hazards and have no time to respond with control.
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, it is a direct violation of the law to use a cellphone while driving in the state of California. Even if people do not get into an accident while using their phone, they risk fines and other legal repercussions if authorities catch them multitasking behind the wheel.
The most effective way for people to avoid distracted driving is for them to make a conscious decision to avoid it in the first place. According to the Federal Communications Commission, people can act responsibly when they share the dangers of distracted driving with others. They can encourage people they love to avoid distractions.
In situations where people feel the need to answer or respond to an urgent communication, they should pull over in a safe place. A simple decision to not use a phone while driving has the potential to save people from a lifelong disability or an early death.
The user base of ridesharing apps like Uber or Lyft is ever-increasing. People are using the on-demand car services to get to or make it back from a night of drinking, to rescue them when a disabled vehicle leaves them stranded or simply to run errands when they don’t have access to their own car.
Rideshare companies perform background checks on their drivers to ensure that they don’t have drunk or reckless driving violations, speeding tickets or more than three other incidents on their records during the past few years. While someone’s past driving history can potentially shed light on how safe a driver is to ride with, the motorists around you may pose a significant risk. What should you do if you are injured while riding in an Uber or Lyft?
Like most motorists, your rideshare driver will likely have personal auto insurance. Your Uber or Lyft driver may also have rideshare insurance. The two rideshare companies also have a corporate insurance plan in place. You may be able to file a third-party claim with one or all three insurers, depending on liability, policy limits and the extent of your injuries.
It can be shocking and scary any time a driver is involved in a crash. However, fleeing from the scene of any crash that involves property damage or injuries is unlawful. It’s particularly critical to your injury case that you try to convince your rideshare driver to stick around until police come.
Reporting the accident that left you injured is key to recovering compensation. The report contains important information, such as the names and insurance companies of the motorists involved and details about how the accident occurred. The latter piece of information can aid insurers in determining liability.
Liability is a burden that is sometimes difficult for individuals injured in automobile accidents to prove. You’ll want to learn more about how the added complications that arise in proving liability in a rideshare accident case before deciding how to proceed.
If you have been involved in an accident or injured due to the negligence of someone else, it is important that you seek legal representation. The trusted and experienced attorneys at Randolph and Associates are here to guide you in the aftermath of your accident, and fight on your behalf to get you the compensation and justice you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.