While driving, it is important to keep your eyes on the road. Even though it looks like an easy thing to do, driving is extremely difficult and it requires a lot of one’s focus.
Every distraction could be the driver’s last one. That being said, did you know that distractions are the number one cause of car accidents in the U.S.?
Technology has been a big part of our lives lately, and with the rise of social media, we cannot help it but check our phones every once in a while.
Here is how taking a selfie, checking your email or posting something on social media while driving can cause a car accident.
Looking At The Wrong Thing
While driving, if you think that getting a selfie is a cool idea, think again; studies have shown that around 18 percent of all car accident resulted from smartphone usage. Basically, if you use your smartphone for any reason while driving, it increases your chances of getting involved in a car accident.
If you want to take a selfie or a picture of something else, be sure to pull over. Do it in the right way, without risking your life. Find the first place where you can safely pull over, take out your phone and snap pictures as much as you like.
If you try and take a selfie while driving, and end up hitting the car in front of you, you will have to hire an attorney to help you get out of the situation (if that is even possible at this point). Contact our Los Angeles Car Accident Attorneys and they will help investigate your case. Perhaps it was not your fault, and if there is evidence that the other party was distracted at the time of the accident, our attorneys will help you find it.
Checking Your Email and Posting On Social Media
There are several reasons why you should not check your email or your social media accounts while driving:
- While your web browser is loading, you could hit a car in front of you or miss a red light and end up in a car accident
- Your eyes will focus on the phone, rather than the road in front of you
- Reading an email takes time (imagine driving for over 5 seconds while looking at your phone constantly)
- Posting on social media or replying to your messages should be avoided at all cost while driving
The reason you should avoid social media while driving is the following: if you end up in a car accident, an investigation will show that you were online on your social media accounts and that you posted something minutes before the accident. This will only prove that you were the one distracted and responsible for causing the accident.
Our car accident lawyer in Los Angeles advise you not to use your phone at all while driving. If you have to make a call, post something on the web, check your email or take a picture, find a spot where you can pull over and do it. Otherwise, do not do it at all!
