Driving while distracted may significantly increase your risk of getting into an accident while traveling on a Georgia road or highway. This is because it reduces your ability to process information or react to changes in traffic conditions in a timely manner. There are multiple ways in which you can be distracted while operating a motor vehicle.
Visual and cognitive distractions
Visual distractions occur when you take your eyes off of the road to change a radio station or answer your phone. Cognitive distractions occur when you get so lost in a song or conversation that you stop paying attention to road conditions. Driving while impaired or while fatigued may cause cognitive distractions, and the same may also be true if you simply get lost in thought while on the way to work or school.
Manual distractions
Manual distractions are similar to visual distractions as they involve intentional acts that diminish your ability to react to changing road conditions. However, manual distractions occur when you take your hands off the wheel as opposed to when you take your eyes off of the road. Examples of this type of distraction include reaching for a drink, changing the radio station or smoking while your car is in motion. Generally speaking, those who drive without their hands on the wheel will be deemed liable for any motor vehicle accidents that they cause.
If you’re hurt in an accident caused by a distracted driver, you may be entitled to compensation. Cellphone records, witness statements and other forms of evidence may be used to verify that the defendant acted in a negligent manner in allowing a collision to occur. Motor vehicle accident cases may be resolved either through a negotiated settlement or by taking them to court.
