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Why Is Distracted Driving Common in Denver?

01/21/2022

Many things could go wrong in an auto accident. First, the common injuries in motor vehicle accidents range from mild to severe and, in some cases, are fatal. Other times, the injuries could be life-altering. In many other cases, there's a lot of property damage.

From rear-end collisions to drunk driving, reckless driving, etc., the causes of automobile accidents are numerous. However, distracted driving crashes seem to be hugely responsible for most of Denver's traffic accidents.. According to this crash report, about 42 distracted driving accidents occur daily in Denver alone.. That means that Denverites' lives are put at risk 42 times daily due to some types of avoidable accidents.

So, what exactly is distracted driving, and how come this type of accident is so rampant in Denver? This article provides answers to those questions. If you want more information about distracted driving traffic crashes, you should speak with an experienced personal injury attorney.

What's Distracted Driving?

Distracted driver drinks coffee and puts make up on in Denver

CODOT describes distracted driving as "the act of driving while engaged in anything that takes your focus away from the road." Common distractions include talking on cell phones or handling mobile devices, eating, watching videos, etc. In a nutshell, anything that takes away your 100% attention to traffic while driving is distracted driving.

Driving is one activity that involves all our senses and requires 100% concentration. As such, it isn't easy to multitask while controlling your motor vehicles' steering wheels. Distracted driving slows your reaction time and poses potential threats to every other motorist and pedestrian on the road. That's why Denver criminalizes distracted driving and prescribes steep penalties against the act, including jail time.

Types of Distractions in Denver

There are four common types of accident distractions common in Denver.. They are: 

  • Manual Distractions 

Manual distractions refer to any activity that takes your hand off the wheels while driving. These include reaching out to gain access to phones, making phone calls on handheld phones, sipping a drink, etc. Manual distractions are very dangerous, especially because they significantly slow your reaction time. 

  • Cognitive Distractions 

Cognitive distractions are also called mental distractions. They are one of the most dangerous types of accident distractions ever. If you're cognitively distracted, you may have your eyes on the road and your hands on your wheels. However, you're mentally disengaged from what you're doing and lose control of your vehicle completely. Examples of this type of distraction include arguing with someone, daydreaming, or being lost in thoughts. 

  • Visual Distractions 

Visual distractions take your eyes off the road. This is equivalent to driving blind. When you take your eyes off the road, you may not even notice traffic signals or notice oncoming vehicles. Visual distractions are one of the most common causes of distracted driving accidents at traffic intersections.

  • Auditory Distractions

Sound causes auditory distractions while driving. It happens when the driver gets distracted while listening to something. It could be noise from or around the vehicle or over a phone conversation. Law enforcement officers can prove that a driver was auditorily distracted by obtaining the at-fault driver's mobile phone records.

Why Are There So Many Distracted Drivers in Denver? 

With the frequency of Denver distracted driving accidents, one would think Denver drivers would pay more attention to careful driving.. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Distracted driving is still the norm in Denver, and here are some of the reasons for that:

  • Problems With Traffic Laws Enforcement and Data Collation 

Colorado's government isn't doing enough when it comes to enforcing traffic laws. According to the website, Denverite, "distracted drivers in Denver have been difficult to count, catch or punish — at least before it’s too late." Since motorists who engage in reckless driving are difficult to catch, many offenders get away with distracted driving. There's also no accurate data on the number of offenders in the city. 

Man is sending a text message while driving

Again, finding evidence to punish offenders is quite difficult in Denver. The police hardly know whether phones are involved in many car accidents. That's because they must comply with search and seizure laws that require probable cause to search and seize motorist's phones. Without witnesses, it's hard to establish distracted driving in such cases.

These factors significantly impact the driving culture in Colorado. It aids a free-for-all driving culture and allows Denver motorists to drive carelessly without fear of any form of punishment.

  • Denver's Weak Traffic Laws

Denver's laws against distracted driving are either weak or non-existent. For example, in Colorado, texting while driving is a secondary offense. In reality, that law is quite ineffective in tackling distracted driving.

  • The Unhealthy Addiction to Mobile Phones 

It's no longer news that many people have developed phone addictions. This is a difficult habit to break because our mobile phones have become a functional part of our daily lives. Unfortunately, like with every addiction, the victims don't know when to stop. They continue texting and operating their mobile phones even when driving on the highways.

  • Drunk Driving 

Like phones, a significant number of people are addicted to alcohol or drugs. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 28 people die in drunk-driving accidents in the US daily. Drunk driving is also a type of cognitive impairment.

When motorists drink and drive, they are no longer in control of their senses. Consequently, they lack control of their motor vehicles too. It then follows that the high rate of DUI accident crashes significantly impacts the number of distracted drivers.

What Types of Damages Can I Get in Distracted Driving Accidents?

If you suffer injuries in a distracted driving accident, you are entitled to the following: 

  • Medical Expenses 

There are many kinds of accident-related injuries you can get from distracted driving accidents. These could either be minor injuries or severe. They include broken bones, spinal cord injuries, shoulder injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and other kinds of catastrophic injuries. Sometimes, you may suffer internal injuries that aren't noticeable immediately and get complicated with time.

That's why you must seek medical attention immediately after an accident. Fortunately, you don't have to pay for your medical treatment. The negligent parties' monetary compensation to you would normally cover your past and future medical bills. 

  • Economic Damages (Actual Damages)

Economic damages refer to financial compensation for expenses you've lost or incurred due to the accident. These include loss of income, damaged property, legal expenses, etc. The driver responsible for your accident will usually compensate you for such losses. In traffic fatalities, the deceased's family can get some economic damages like burial expenses.

  • Non-Economic Damages 

Apart from your physical injury, there are other forms of injuries you may suffer after a traffic crash. These injuries, although abstract, are as serious as bodily injuries. They include pain and suffering, reduced quality of life, loss of enjoyment, disfigurement, etc. Unlike economic damages, non-economic damages cannot be easily measured. The amounts you will receive as non-economic damages depend on the court's discretion and the severity of your case.

  • Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are not compensatory. Instead, they aim at punishing the at-fault driver for their careless driving. They are also cautionary because they serve as a deterrent to future tortfeasors. 

We Have the Best Accident Attorneys for Your Case!

Are you an accident victim in a Denver auto accident insurance claim.? Do you need maximum compensation for your personal injuries? Then you need the best legal team in Denver on your case. Personal Injury claims are complex, and without requisite legal backing, you may end up with little or no compensation.

A driver is watching a video no realizing why is distracted driving is common in Denver

At Firouzbakht Law Firm, our sole aim is to make the at-fault party pay for all the hurt you've endured. As such, we'd work tirelessly and selflessly to ensure that you get adequate compensation and nothing less. Our team of experienced attorneys will stand by you from start to finish. 

If you need to file a personal injury lawsuit, we will ensure you get top-notch legal representation in court. Give us a call to schedule an appointment with us today.  We are always willing to listen to you.

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