Allegations of another driver’s distraction aren’t enough to prove that that distraction caused an auto accident. If an officer suspects a driver is impaired, they can ask the person to take sobriety tests. However, proving that another person wasn’t paying attention to the road can be difficult. If distracted driving played a role in a traffic accident, call a motor vehicle accident lawyer in Loveland.
Establishing a Link Between Distracted Driving and the Accident
Lawyers and police use different methods to prove that a driver wasn’t paying their full attention to the road. These include:
* Phone records. Police will check the phones of those involved in accidents to see whether they were talking, texting, or using apps at the time of the accident. An officer can confiscate a phone as evidence of a driver’s distraction.
* Vehicle data. Many of today’s cars contain advanced safety features, and some keep records of essential information like vehicle speed or whether the driver was adjusting the controls right before an accident.
* Passengers. One of the negligent driver’s passengers may testify that the driver was behaving improperly.
* Other drivers. Lawyers and police can interview passengers and drivers in other vehicles who may have seen the at-fault driver’s negligent actions.
* Surveillance camera footage. As these systems become more common, police can trace the route the driver took to see whether a camera captured video evidence of their distracted driving.
What Counts as Distracted Driving?
A driver is said to be distracted when they engage in behaviors that take their mind and eyes off the road. Distractions may include texting, phone calls, adjusting the radio, using the car’s navigation system, eating, grooming, reading, talking to passengers, and checking their email.
Who’s Most Likely to Be a Distracted Driver?
Distracted driving is a problem for everyone, but statistics show that it’s more common in some groups than in others. Those stuck in traffic are more likely to use their phones, and teenagers only pay attention to the road about 75% of the time. If a person suffers injuries in an accident caused by a distracted driver, they can click here to make an appointment with a motor vehicle accident lawyer in Loveland.
