Prevent California Car Accidents: Keep Your Mind on the Road!

Researchers recently published a new study which suggested that half of all car accidents which result in injury involved drivers who were distracted by their own thoughts in the moments before the crash. The study proves that distracted driving can be subtler and more complicated than talking on a cell phone or texting. The act of letting your mind drift may be enough to cause a crash or prevent you from avoiding a crash.

How can you combat daydreaming or zoning out while driving?

• Avoid driving for long stretches of time. It is difficult to focus on anything for more than a few hours. If you are on a long road trip, take breaks every two hours or every 100 miles so you don’t begin to zone out on the highway or interstate.
• Don’t drive when mentally distressed. Almost 20 percent of injured at-fault drivers in the above study admitted they were extremely distracted by their thoughts right before the crash. If you are distressed over an event in your life or overly emotional, it is not a good idea to get behind the wheel.
• Eliminate mental distractions. Although it is legal to talk on a hands-free device while driving in California, some believe using these devices can be almost as distracting as holding a cell phone. Listening to loud music or an audio program also may encourage your mind to wander.

Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents in California. If you have been injured in an auto wreck which you believe was caused by another distracted driver, you may deserve compensation for damages. To learn more about your possible claim through a free, confidential case evaluation, call Russell & Lazarus today at 885-851-2400. Speak with an OC personal injury attorney you can trust.