Daydreaming While Driving in Chicago is Often Deadly

A new survey on fatal car crashes shows that drivers who were daydreaming or lost in thought are five times more likely to cause a collision resulting in death than those drivers who were distracted by a cell phone. The study was conducted and published by Erie Insurance Company and showed that over a two year period, the U.S. had more than 65,000 fatal car accidents, a staggering amount.

Not all of those fatal car crashes were due to distracted driving, about 10 percent, according to the study. And surprisingly the majority of these fatal accidents were due to daydreaming - 62 percent. Cell phones caused 12 percent of those collisions, while rubbernecking or the "gawker effect" caused 7 percent. Other contributing causes included other occupants in the vehicle, reaching for an object, eating or drinking, adjusting controls on the dashboard, reaching for an ashtray, and pets within the car.

Young drivers are the most likely to drive while distracted. In fact, of drivers under the age of 20 who were killed in a collision, 11 percent were reportedly distracted at the time of the crash. This is a higher percentage than found among any other age group.

The results of this survey should alert all drivers of the need to focus on the task at hand: driving. While Americans lead busy lives, there is no time to be distracted or to split your attention while driving. Focus on the road and pay attention to traffic when you are driving, and if you need to make a call, send a text, or discipline your children, please pull over in a safe area before doing so.

It only takes a second of distracted driving to cause a fatal crash, meaning that it is crucial that drivers are aware of their surroundings and aware of other drivers who may be distracted.

Any distraction while driving is unsafe and many are illegal. For example, young drivers in Illinois are prohibited from using a cell phone and all drivers are banned from texting. What many drivers many not know is that cell phone use is also banned in school zones or in highway construction zones. Violations of these laws can result in significant fines or even imprisonment if the distraction causes a crash.

Be smart and be safe when driving. Do not drive while distracted and watch out for other drivers who may be distracted.

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

Tractor Trailers Often Make Improper Turns From The Wrong Lane Resulting In Catastrophic Consequences

Next » Posted On: March 7, 2011 by Jeffrey M. Reiff Tractor Trailers Often Make Improper Turns From The Wrong Lane Resulting In Catastrophic Consequences

Many time each year our Philadelphia car accident and trucking accident law firm is contacted by victims and families of victims of catastrophic trucking accidents. A common scenario seems to exist when a tractor trailer suddenly makes a right hand turn from the left hand lane resulting in a serious collision. In many of the cases, our accident reconstructionists and engineers were able to prove that the actions of the truck operator were not consistent with a commercial driver’s manual and training. Specifically, the commercial driver’s manual states that when a tractor trailer operator moves the tractor to the left prior to turning right, he or she should keep the trailer in the right lane. By doing so, the tractor trailer compensates for the off track trailer unit by blocking the right lane thus preventing a collision. Many times trucking companies and their lawyers will argue that the car tried to squeeze by in the right and the tractor trailer operator was not at fault. Trucking accidents with small cars often result in catastrophic injuries and many times death.

If you are injured by a large 18 wheel truck or semi-truck, you have the legal right to hold the truck drivers and trucking companies responsible for the harm caused by the negligence or non-compliance with safety regulations. The experienced Pennsylvania truck accident lawyers of Reiff and Bily have the experience and resources to properly prepare truck accident claims and our track record of success speaks for itself.

The experienced truck accident lawyers of Reiff and Bily has recently joined forces with the legendary Philadelphia Beasley Firm and collectively has recovered billions of dollars since 1958 with an outstanding track record of success. For more information, please contact us online at www.reiffandbily.com or toll free at 1-800-421-9595. As always, we offer a no recovery, zero fee guarantee.

Posted by Jeffrey M. Reiff

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