According to a recent report by WKRN, the Mt. Juliet Police Department have noted a massive increase in the number of distracted driving accidents in the area. According to them, they have seen the number of distracted driving accidents double between 2019 and 2021, rising from 667 to 1,282 over a two year span. This has led the police to begin a crackdown on this type of reckless driving, which can significantly increase the risk of a serious auto accident.

What is Distracted Driving?

Distracted driving refers to a type of reckless driving where someone is dividing their attention between driving their vehicle and something else. These distractions can take someone’s eyes off the road or their hands off the wheel, preventing them from being in full control of the car. This makes accidents of all types much more likely, due to not being able to adequately react to things happening on the road.

What Does Distracted Driving Look Like?

Although it is commonly associated with texting and driving, there are actually many types of distracted driving. Some more common activities involved in distracted driving include:

  • Using social media
  • Talking on the phone
  • Consuming food or drinks
  • Reading books, newspapers or magazines
  • Putting on makeup
  • Brushing hair or teeth
  • Shaving
  • Changing the radio
  • Programming a GPS device
  • Picking up objects off the floor
  • Dealing with children or unruly passengers

Why Do People Engage in Distracted Driving?

In many cases, distracted driving is the result of people trying to multitask, because they think they are too busy and are trying to save time. For example, someone might try to eat in the car because they didn’t have time to eat breakfast at home. Other times, they may simply get distracted by their cell phone or other electronic device, their attention diverted by whatever they would rather be paying attention to. Unfortunately, this causes people to miss what’s going on in front of them, making it more likely they will crash into someone else.

What Should I Do if I Have Been in an Accident?

If you have been involved in an accident with a driver who was distracted at the time of the crash, your first priority should be to seek medical attention to receive a full medical examination. After that, however, you should speak to a personal injury lawyer with experience handling motor vehicle accidents. They can help you go over your case and work with you to get compensation for any harm you have suffered.

 

If you have been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, you should contact the Tennessee personal injury lawyers at the Keith Williams Law Group. With convenient offices located in Nashville and Lebanon, our lawyers will work with you to create a litigation strategy that protects your legal rights and serves your personal needs. For more information or a free consultation, please contact us at 615-444-2900 or visit our contact page.