Most people take their phones with them when they drive, as it has become second nature to take them pretty much everywhere. So, if you are involved in a crash with another vehicle, it is always worth considering whether the other driver was distracted by their phone.
You might think this just means exploring whether they were on it at the time of the collision. While you should check that, limiting things this way could be a mistake.
Phones continue to distract
Phones can be distracting for some time after you have finished using them. Important or intense calls and conversations can stick with you well after you hang up. For example, a fight with your significant other or a phone call that your child has an injury can leave your mind preoccupied. In both those examples and other situations, you can be left less able to focus on the road and the traffic around you due to the thoughts running around your head that started with the phonecall.
Similarly, a phone that is constantly “pinging” because of a barrage of text messages – related or not to any conversations you’ve already had – can be an additional stressor and distraction.
That makes the chance you could cause a collision higher. While you could honestly say you were not using your phone when you crashed, your phone would still have been the source of your inability to focus.
No matter how safe you are about your phone use when in the car, someone out there is going to make mistakes – and that can lead to injuries. It can be challenging to work out exactly why a crash occurred, and legal guidance can help you explore options you might not have considered that may justify your claim for compensation