The Dangers of Daydreaming Behind the Wheel

People usually equate the phrase driving under the influence with drunk driving. Ironically, as the number of fatalities caused by drunk driving is finally decreasing, driving under the influence of technological devices is emerging as a new public safety hazard. However, daydreaming or spacing out might be an even bigger problem.

One analysis of national traffic accident records from 2010 and 2011 shows that distracted driving was responsible for 6,500 traffic accident fatalities, or 10 percent of the total. Other statistics estimate that 16 percent of traffic fatalities and 80 percent of car crashes are caused by distracted driving.

According to police accident reports, the breakdown of deadly inattentive driving habits is as follows:

• Daydreaming, 62 percent
• Texting or talking on a cell phone, 12 percent
• Distracted by something outside the car, 7 percent
• Distracted by passengers in the car, 5 percent
• Other (adjusting dials, eating, reaching for objects, smoking), 9 percent

These numbers are difficult to verify, since some people may have reported that they were daydreaming before their crash instead of texting given that this activity is illegal in many states. For instance, Colorado law prohibits all drivers from texting and drivers under the age of 18 cannot use a cell phone at all.

There is no way to make daydreaming while driving illegal, but every driver can make an effort to be more attentive and focused. Limit your use of devices, including voice-activated gadgets. If you must take a phone call, program your GPS device or update your Facebook status, pull over.

Proving that the at-fault driver in a car crash was distracted is not as easy as getting evidence that they were under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Experienced attorneys can help you successfully resolve all types of car accident injury claims.

If you have questions about these issues, contact one of our experienced personal injury attorneys at the law firm of Bell & Pollock P.C. as soon as possible so we can help you formulate your Legal Game Plan.™

From our offices conveniently located in Denver, and Steamboat Springs, our lawyers provide the highest quality legal services to injured people throughout the Denver metro area, Arapahoe County, Routt County and throughout the entire state of Colorado.

Now a Word from Gary Bell

By Gary Bell of Bell & Pollock Injury Attorneys

If you have been injured in a car or truck wreck, there is no question that pain and suffering are some of the most serious harms you have to endure. These are the injuries that affect your quality of life and the very essence of who you are. But, many people do not realize the myriad other ways a serious crash can impact their lives.

The following list, while not exhaustive is designed to give you an idea about some of the different types of damages that may be available to you (in addition to pain and suffering) if you suffer injuries as a result of someone else’s negligence in a motor vehicle wreck:

• Past, current, and future medical bills
• Lost wages (past, present, and future) and loss of employment
• Emotional distress
• Disfigurement
• Permanent impairment
• Property damage
• Aggravation of a pre-existing injury
• Funeral expenses
• Punitive damages
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Injury to peace or happiness
• Wrongful death
• Loss of consortium
• Lifetime limits on activities

As you can see from the list, it is vitally important that you receive a comprehensive evaluation to determine the injuries and harms you have sustained after a motor vehicle wreck.

A different type of damage which can be crucial when attempting to value a claim for damages is loss of household services. Loss of household services is based on the premise that members of a family provide services for the household and those services have monetary value. In a car crash case, the injured person can have his/her household services valued. Studies have revealed that husbands spend about 12 hours per week in household work and wives spend about 42 hours per week in household work. So although you may have not missed any time from your occupation your car crash injuries may prevent you from performing your household services.

Your attorney at Bell and Pollock will use this information to create a Legal Game Plan ™ for you. The Legal Game Plan™ will assist you and your attorney to determine what would constitute a fair and full settlement and jury verdict with respect to the injuries you have suffered.

If you have questions about these issues, or if you’ve been injured in a vehicle accident, contact one of our experienced personal-injury attorneys at the law firm of Bell & Pollock P.C. as soon as possible so we can help you formulate your Legal Game Plan.™