Regardless of the reasoning behind it, distracted driving can create hazardous conditions for others on the road. For example, distracted driving can cause a side-impact accident. When drivers do not watch the road, they could blow through a stop sign or stoplight. As a result, the distracted driver may strike another car making its way through the intersection, causing a side-impact collision.
Because of inattentiveness and delayed response time, distracted drivers can also drift out of their lane and swipe the side of another car, resulting in another type of side-impact crash. If you suffered injuries in this type of collision, a side-impact collision attorney could help you hold the distracted driver accountable.
What Is Distracted Driving?
A distracted driver is someone who takes their attention off the road to focus on something other than driving. For example, a driver may be distracted by their phone while responding to a text or using an app. However, distraction can also involve eating in the car, using the radio, or attending to kids in the back seat.
According to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission (LHSC), acts of distracted driving can fall into three primary categories, including:
- Visual: When a driver looks away from the road, they become visually distracted from driving.
- Manual: When a driver lets go of the wheel to eat or adjust a GPS unit in the car, they become manually distracted from driving.
- Cognitive: When a driver concentrates on something other than driving, they become cognitively distracted from driving.
Distracted Driving Leaves Little Time to React
Vehicles can travel a great distance within a few seconds, making distracted driving even more dangerous as speed increases. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that a distracted driver traveling 55 mph can cover a distance equal to the length of a football field in 5 seconds. For comparison, it takes about 5 seconds to tap out a quick text message response.
Along the way, a distracted driver may miss traffic signals or stop signs because they are not watching the road. This action could lead to a T-bone accident, where the distracted driver enters the intersection illegally and strikes the side of another vehicle.
Drivers Can Drift Sideways While Distracted
After letting go of the steering wheel or looking away from the road, it is also possible for a distracted driver to begin drifting to the right or left of their lane. Many vehicles pull one way unless the driver is actively holding the steering wheel and watching the lane dividers.
As the distracted driver drifts out of the lane, this can lead to a side-swipe accident with your vehicle. You may not notice this problem in time to avoid it, or you may be in tight quarters with other vehicles around you, leaving no way to prevent a collision.
Distracted Drivers May Suddenly Overcorrect
After taking their eyes off the road for several seconds, a distracted driver may suddenly look up and realize their car drifted out of its lane. The driver may then panic and swerve back into the original lane. If the driver overcorrects their position, they may swerve into the adjacent lane on the other side of the car, leading to a side-swipe crash.
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Common Types of Side-Impact Accidents
If you find yourself hit by someone you suspect was driving while distracted, one of the first clues may be the type of accident that occurred. When you are the victim of a side-impact or side-swipe crash, this suggests that the other driver was not watching the road as closely as they should have.
Often, a distracted driver will seem to come at you out of nowhere. This often occurs because the driver is not behaving as expected, making it difficult to predict their movements and avoid a collision.
T-Bone Accident
When a distracted driver strikes your car in the side, usually at an intersection, this is a common side-impact accident.
T-bone collisions are highly dangerous, as they usually occur when both drivers are traveling at normal-to-high speeds. The distracted driver may not see a stop sign before entering the intersection illegally, giving them no opportunity to slow down before the crash, putting significant force on the other vehicle involved.
Side-Swipe Accident
A distracted driver may clip the side of your car even while you are maintaining your lane properly. Depending on both vehicles’ speeds and the force of the swipe, this may not cause significant damage or injuries.
However, a side swipe could cause you to lose control of your vehicle. This can be dangerous for everyone in the vicinity, potentially setting off a chain-reaction crash.
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We Take Pride in Advocating for Victims of Distracted Drivers
A distracted driver who hits your car can cause significant injuries and damages, which may be recoverable in a claim or lawsuit. Our team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers represents victims of distracted drivers throughout Louisiana.
For a free consultation, contact us as soon as possible at (337) 777-7777.
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