Driver mistakes cause the overwhelming majority of auto accidents in the United States. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, human errors contribute to approximately 94 percent of all wrecks.

Teenage girl texting and driving

Many of these accidents involve distracted drivers. According to Distraction.gov, 3,179 motorists died in 2014 due to distracted driving.

Common examples of driver distractions include:

Daydreaming;
Outside events;
Eating and drinking;
Loud passengers;
Texting or using a cell phone;
Reaching for items in the vehicle;
Smoking;
And adjusting climate and audio controls.

If you were injured due to a distracted, impaired, or otherwise negligent driver, contact Christopher Trainor & Associates. A personal-injury attorney in Detroit will evaluate your crash to determine if you have grounds for a claim.

Call 1-800-961-8477 to schedule a free case evaluation.

Here are four tips to help you avoid distracted driving accidents:

Look for signs of distraction from other drivers.

Although you cannot control the actions of other drivers, you can keep your distance if you notice signs of distraction. Common examples include:

Not driving straight;
Stopping for too long – particularly at intersections and stop signs;
Listening to headphones;
Braking unexpectedly;
And looking down.

Put your cell phone away.

Texting is one of the deadliest distractions because it inhibits your visual, physical, and mental abilities at the same time. This is also true for sending emails, browsing the Web, and using social media behind the wheel.

If you cannot resist the urge to check updates on your phone, then turn it off or put it in the glove box. As the American Automobile Association explains, your risk of crashing doubles if you look away from the road for just two seconds.

Do not carry passengers.

As the State of Michigan Secretary of State explains, the law restricts the number of passengers that newly licensed drivers can carry. This is because passengers can be distracting and contribute to accidents.

According to TeenDriverSource.org, if a teenager is transporting two or more peer passengers, then the risk of a fatal accident increases by more than 300 percent.

Do not drink or eat behind the wheel.

Detroit has no shortage of fast-food restaurants, and eating behind the wheel can be tempting if you’re in a rush. However, eating and drinking will take your hands and eyes off the task of driving, which can be a deadly mistake. According to DecideToDrive.org, a 2014 study showed that eating or drinking increases the risk of crashing by a factor of 3.6.

If you were injured by a distracted driver in Michigan, contact Christopher Trainor & Associates. A Detroit car accident lawyer will protect your interests and guide you through the claims process.

We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call 1-800-961-8477 to schedule a free case evaluation.