When a person is distracted for any reason, he or she is significantly more likely to be involved in a car accident. Most of the time, distraction is the result of looking at a phone, texting or even scrolling through Facebook, but there are many other things that can occupy a driver’s attention. Looking at billboards, adjusting the GPS, talking to a passenger and even eating can all be distracting.
You know that distraction is one of the leading causes of accidents in Mississippi and across the country. Most people are aware of how dangerous it can be, yet it remains a growing safety concern. Insurance rates for distracted driving are higher than ever because of the frequency of accidents caused by this negligent behavior.
The price of negligence
Despite distracted-driving laws, safety campaigns and a general awareness of the danger of this type of behavior behind the wheel, this issue remains one of the most common reasons for motor vehicle accidents. Over the last decade, the insurance penalties for drivers cited for distracted driving and drivers who caused an accident because of inattentiveness have increased by approximately 10,000%. Consider the following facts about the insurance industry’s reaction to distracted driving:
- Between 2011 and 2018 alone, insurance premiums for distracted driving rose from about $3 to $290.
- Insurance companies have been closely monitoring driver trends and distraction in order justify rate increases to regulators. There is substantial data to back up their rates for risky drivers.
- Specific penalties for distracted driving can range from $87 to $762 depending on where the driver lives.
- The frequency with which motorists are dying because of distracted driving is alarming – the average is about nine fatalities per day.
It may interest you to note that while aggressive and speed-prone drivers are at an increased risk for a collision, phone addicts are more likely than any other group to cause an accident.
What does this mean for you?
Regardless of distracted driving laws, insurance rates and safety campaigns, every driver is responsible for the choices he or she makes behind the wheel. If you are the victim of an accident caused by a distracted driver, you do not have to suffer through the aftermath alone. It is possible you have grounds to pursue compensation for your recovery through a personal injury claim.
