When you’re in your car on a road in Louisiana, you might not think that anything would be wrong with changing the radio station or reaching over for a few seconds to get something off the passenger seat. However, these actions are often considered distracted driving and can sometimes result in an accident. Before performing actions that take your eyes off the road or your hands off the wheel, bear in mind a few dangers of distracted driving so that you can help keep everyone safe.
Accidents
The most common risk of distracted driving is an accident. You could lose control of your vehicle and hit a tree or another object. Another car could be involved in the accident, resulting in a personal injury claim. Significant injuries often occur as the result of an accident, and sometimes people even die because of distracted driving.
Financial costs
If someone involved in an accident files a claim against you and wins, you could see your insurance premium increase. You could also be required to reimburse the other person for medical treatments, lost wages or other compensation associated with the claim. Money could be spent on repairing your vehicle or getting a new one if yours can’t be repaired.
Legal issues
There are a host of legal issues related to distracted driving. An officer could give you a ticket, resulting in a fine. If you’re involved in an accident that causes injuries or death, you could have to spend time in jail.
If you find yourself in such a situation and you consult with an attorney, you can offer details about what you were doing and if you were performing those actions while the car was in motion or stopped. The attorney can then review any claims or charges against you to determine the best defense to use in trying to get them reduced or dismissed.