Unfortunately, it certainly still happens. Many drivers are essentially addicted to their phones and they will still use them in the car, regardless of what the law says. But why is it that this is so dangerous? Why are cellphones such a problem?
The major reason that cellphones are such an issue is that they qualify as all of the three major types of distractions listed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These are as follows:
While many things will only qualify as one type of distraction – such as how turning your head to talk to a passenger is a visual distraction – a cellphone checks all three boxes. Someone who is looking at the phone is certainly experiencing a visual distraction. But they’re also thinking about the person on the other end of the phone or the task they’re trying to accomplish, which is a cognitive distraction. Finally, they are holding their phone in their hand, which makes it a manual distraction.
Cellphone use is consistent and drivers are unlikely to stop anytime soon. Because it checks all these boxes, these cellphones are going to cause car accidents every day in the foreseeable future. Those who have been injured by negligent drivers need to be sure they understand all of the legal options at their disposal.
]]>It should certainly come as no surprise that the larger the vehicle is, the more serious the injuries can be to a cyclist if they collide. A recent study provides some detail about just how much more dangerous it is for a cyclist to be struck by an SUV than a car.
Using an injury scale that grades severity, researchers found that cyclist injuries were 55% worse when hit by an SUV than by a smaller, lighter vehicle. Head injuries were 63% worse.
Here’s another disturbing number: Since 2009, 15% of collisions between cyclists and pedestrians and vehicles involved SUVs. However, 25% of fatalities involved an SUV.
SUVs are more likely to cause a bicyclist to fall off their bike and onto the ground than cars are. This can cause even more serious injuries than the force of being struck by a vehicle. Those hit by cars are more likely to fly up onto the hood or roof of the vehicle.
SUVs, like the increasingly large pickup trucks, have several features that work to the disadvantage of cyclists. They have larger blind spots, particularly when turning. Their headlights are higher, so they can more easily blind those in front of them. They have a higher front end, which can push a cyclist to the ground (and also potentially make it more difficult to see small pedestrians in front of them like children). Of course, their larger weight can also worsen the severity of injuries.
All of this simply highlights the importance of staying as far away from SUVs and larger vehicles as is safe while you’re biking. It’s also crucial not to assume that a driver sees you even if it seems like they should.
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a collision involving an SUV, it’s crucial to ensure that you get the compensation you need for medical care in the short term as well as for the long-term ramifications of these injuries. By having experienced legal guidance, you can better protect your rights to justice and compensation.
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