When you are behind the wheel, you must take steps to keep others in your vehicle safe. You need to pay attention to the road and ensure you don’t succumb to distractions.
Unfortunately, there are many situations where passengers are extremely distracting. If this happens, they may cause an accident.
The risk of passenger distractions
Sometimes, passengers are an asset. For example, they can help with navigation, tuning the stereo and changing the temperature in your vehicle. Unfortunately, they can also be a distraction
Most passengers don’t realize the danger they put everyone in when they distract the driver. Passengers can cause distractions in several ways. Most are unintentional; however, they are still extremely dangerous. Some of the most common ways that passengers cause a risk to drivers and increase the likelihood of an accident include:
- Talking loudly or gesturing in your line of vision
- Turning the music up to loud
- Causing you to look outside the window or at something inside the car
- Making you angry, upset or frustrated
- Eating or drinking nearby while you are driving
All these situations can cause you to take your eyes off the road or hands off the wheel. They are also distracting to your mind. This results in serious distractions that can cause an accident and serious injuries.
Did a distracted driver hit you?
You have rights if you are hit or involved in an accident with a distracted driver. One right is to recover compensation for the injuries you sustained. Learning about your legal rights and how to pursue legal action to recover what you deserve is best. Don’t try to handle the situation alone; legal resources are available.
