On behalf of Law Offices of Kathleen G. Alvarado posted in personal injury on Friday, April 27, 2018.

There is a lot of talk in California about the dangers of texting and driving or even of talking on the phone while on the road. Indeed, this is very dangerous behavior that can lead to serious and even fatal car accidents.

However, it is not the only form of distracted driving that can pose a threat to motorists on California’s roadways. According to one recent report, texting and driving is the second leading cause of fatal distracted driving accidents, contributing to 14 percent of them.

The most common cause of fatal accidents related to distracted driving is “daydreaming,” which contributed to 61 percent of such accidents. For a number of reasons, motorists have a tendency to let their minds wander off when they are behind the wheel. Unfortunately, taking one’s mental attention off of the road, even for a few seconds, can mean missing an impending hazard and thus causing a wreck.

Other common causes of distraction included smoking or eating while driving and messing with the vehicle’s internal controls, which would include the knob or switch for the radio. Interestingly, even talking face-to-face with another passenger, that is, with no phone involved whatsoever, was a common source of a fatal distraction. Rubbernecking at an accident or some other sight alongside the road and reaching for an item in the back seat were also listed as significant distractions for motorists.

The theme for all of these types of distractions is that they are preventable. A California motorist, when behind the wheel, simply must be fully prepared to keep his or her body and mind fully engaged in the task of driving. To do any less is irresponsible, and the victims of such irresponsibility can and should seek compensation for their injuries through a personal injury lawsuit.