At this point, most drivers have come to understand that smartphones can be a significant source of distraction. Reading email, text messaging, checking social media accounts, and surfing the Internet are all activities that can cause significant manual, visual, and cognitive distractions for people who are operating a motor vehicle. To combat this problem, many states have enacted legislation that limits the way in which drivers can use their phones, to varying degrees of success.

According to a new study conducted by the United Kingdom’s Transport Research Laboratory, using a smartwatch may be even more distracting than using a phone. As reported by the Huffington Post,¹ the results of the research indicate that drivers reading a message on a smartwatch reacted two-thirds of a second later to an emergency maneuver than did drivers reading a message on a handheld phone. While two-thirds of a second may not seem like a significant amount of time, it can mean the difference between a serious accident and a near miss when traveling at even moderate speeds.

Auto collisions caused by distracted driving² can often leave victims with substantial economic and noneconomic losses. These can include the following:

·       Property damage

·       Past, current, and future medical expenses

·       Lost income

·       Physical disfigurement

·       Physical and emotional pain and suffering

In most cases, a distracted driver will be deemed legally at fault for any accident that he or she causes, meaning that victims can often obtain compensation for their injuries. For this reason, anyone involved in an accident that they suspect was caused by driver distraction should retain legal counsel as soon as possible. When you retain an attorney, he or she will investigate your case and uncover any evidence of driver distraction that may exist, ensuring your ability to recover for your losses.

Contact a Dallas car accident lawyer today to discuss your case

To discuss your case with a Dallas personal injury lawyer, call Clements & Clements today at 800-750-1126 or send an email through our online contact form.

¹ http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/paul-singh/apple-watch-driving_b_6849408.html
² http://www.distraction.gov/