Driver negligence takes many forms, but some behaviors behind the wheel are more dangerous than others. Who would have thought that a time would come when researchers would compare distracted driving accidents to drunk driving accidents in terms of danger and fatalities. You may be among the many Kentucky residents who would be surprised by what the data shows.
Most drivers know that drinking and getting behind the wheel is dangerous and can cause serious or fatal accidents. When you drink, your cognitive abilities decline and your reaction time slows. Your attention to your surroundings diminishes as well. Even when your blood alcohol concentration has not reached .08 (which is Kentucky’s legal limit), your ability to safely operate a motor vehicle is compromised.
The same could be said for texting and driving, which may be the most dangerous form of distracted driving. When you text, it requires your hands, your brain and your sight. Your ability to avoid an accident is no better than if you were intoxicated. You may have heard the statistic that during the mere seconds it takes to read or send a text at 55 mph, your car covers the length of a football field. That is a long way to go without paying attention.
When it comes right down to it, it may not matter to you whether the driver was drunk or texting. The fact remains that he or she engaged in a dangerous behavior that seriously injured you and may have cost you the future you envisioned — or a beloved member of your family. However, when filing civil claims, the types of evidence you need in order to establish negligence vary between distracted driving and drunk driving accidents. Before you consider filing a lawsuit, you may need to have questions answered and understand your rights, and an attorney who regularly handles these types of claims could be invaluable in your efforts.
Source: thezebra.com, “Drunk Driving vs Distracted Driving: Which is More Dangerous?“, Joey Held, Sept. 14, 2017
