There are countless ways in which drivers become distracted on the road. Common distractions include using a phone or a GPS while behind the wheel, but there are many other things that can divert someone’s attention when they should be focusing on the road. For example, a driver may talk with other people in the car, reach for food, adjust the radio or become distracted for some other reason. Sadly, this behavior has cost many lives over the years, and even more people have been seriously hurt in these wrecks.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3,450 lives were lost as a result of distracted driving during 2016. The NHTSA draws attention to some of the behaviors that cause drivers to lose focus and also points out that distracted driving was responsible for 391,000 people becoming injured in 2015.
Unfortunately, when distracted driving crash victims pass away, their loved ones may struggle in numerous ways. Financial challenges are not uncommon, especially when funeral costs are considered and the possibility that the person who has passed on provided an entire family with income they counted on. Tragically, far more lives will be claimed because of this negligent behavior.
It is essential for the loved ones of those who die in these wrecks to recover from an emotional point of view, as challenging as that can be. Also, the families of those who have passed on due to traffic crashes caused by distracted driving should not hesitate to explore the legal options they might have.
