In Louisiana, thousands of people don wearable technology. This term references devices such as smartwatches, mobile phones, hands-free devices and earbuds. The convenience of these wearable devices can make people question how they ever lived without them until they realize the costs and consequences. By 2022, approximately 73 million people will be using wearable technology, which will likely increase the number of lives lost from distracted driving. Despite all the good wearable technology does, such as monitoring blood sugar and sending emergency alerts, it also causes drivers to engage in other activities besides driving.
The danger of distracted driving
An auto accident is more likely to occur when a driver is distracted than at any other time. Studies have shown that distracted drivers have increased reaction time to traffic events. Studies also show that written alerts such as text messages result in further response delays. Each state has laws that regulate distracted driving, but individuals can still choose to be negligent and allow technology to distract them behind the wheel.
The main components of distracted driving from smartwatches are audio, visual, cognitive and manual. When your notifications are on, depending on your settings, you can get alerts in the form of banners, badges, vibrations and sounds. Any of these notifications can also appear when your device is locked, resulting in you looking away from the road for a second and potentially getting in a motor vehicle accident. Looking down to read a message from a family member, a last-minute request from your employer or breaking news can end in a catastrophic event.
What should you do if you’re injured by a distracted driver?
If you find yourself in a collision caused by a distracted driver, meeting with an attorney to discuss the car accident would be a wise decision. An attorney may be able to help you claim compensation for your losses.