• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Babcock Law Firm

Denver personal injury and accident lawyer

(303) 683-5033 FREE CONSULT 4600 S Ulster St.
Suite 800, Denver CO 80237
  • Our Firm
    • Our Mission
    • Injury Attorney Profiles
    • How Representation Works
  • Practice Areas
    • Workers’ Compensation / Work Injuries
    • Car Accidents
    • Truck Accidents
    • Motorcycle Accidents
    • Drunk Driving Accidents
    • Pedestrian Accidents
    • Slip and Falls (Premises Liability)
    • Bad Faith Insurance
    • Wrongful Death
  • Reviews
  • News
  • Resources
    • COVID-19
    • Scholarships
  • Blog
  • Contact
Denver Personal Injury Attorneys (Home) / Blog / Auto Accidents / Distracted Driving – Combating a Common Cause of Car Accidents

Distracted Driving – Combating a Common Cause of Car Accidents

As we’ve discussed before, distracted driving is the second leading cause of car accidents in the United States.

From another perspective, distracted driving was identified as the cause in 18% of car accidents in the U.S. in 2010 – by the numbers, 3092 fatalities and 416,000 injuries resulted from car accidents caused by distracted driving.

A fatality is the worst outcome, like this story of 9-year old Erica Forney in Colorado Springs. While riding her bike home two days before Thanksgiving in 2008, Erica was struck by an SUV going 25 mph. The driver of the SUV had just completed a phone call and was distracted just long enough at the wrong time.

Stories like this are all too common across Colorado and the U.S…

To better recognize and combat distracted driving, it’s important to understand what it involves. The U.S. Department of Transportation defines distracted driving as:

“any non-driving activity a person engages in that has the potential to distract him or from the primary task of driving and increase the risk of crashing”

Cell phone use and texting are most cited examples of distracted driving. However, the term covers a broad range of activities while driving, and can include just about anything. Some other common examples include:

  • Eating
  • Drinking
  • Grooming
  • Talking to passengers
  • Reading maps
  • Using a navigation system
  • Adjusting a radio or CD player
  • Talking on a cell phone
  • Texting

It’s important to remember that taking your focus off of the road puts you, your passengers, other drivers and bystanders’ safety at risk.

Colorado has two laws related to distracted driving specific to cell phones. First, no driver under 18 may use a cell phone while driving, unless it’s for an emergency. Also, ALL drivers in Colorado are prohibited from texting while driving.

Texting while driving is perhaps the most dangerous form of distracted driving since it requires all three types of attention from the driver – visual, manual and cognitive.

A University of Utah study in fact draws a few parallels between cell phone use/texting and drunk driving. Results from the study conclude that using a cell phone while driving reduces reaction time to that of a driver who has a blood-alcohol level of 0.08% concentration.

Even though there are laws specific to cell phones and texting, every driver has the responsibility to maintain their focus on the road. It only takes a split second for tragedy to strike. If you’re the parent of a teen who’s just starting to drive, be sure you educate them about the dangers of distracted driving and the importance of being focused on driving when they’re behind the wheel.

Check out resources like the U.S. DOT website on distracted driving, as well as our car accident knowledge center, for more tips for teaching your teen and better understanding distracted driving. Leading by example is the best way to help them learn though…

If an accident does occur due to distracted driving, a driver can be held liable for any injuries or damages caused by their actions.

If you’ve been involved in a car accident caused a distracted driver, you may be eligible for compensation. To discuss your individual case, contact Denver car accident attorney R. Mack Babcock and associates today for a free consultation.

Primary Sidebar

Categories

Personal Injury
Practice Areas

Car Accidents Truck Accidents Motorcycle Accidents Drunk Driving Accidents Pedestrian Accidents Workers' Comp / Work Injuries Slip & Falls (Premises Liability) Insurance Disputes Wrongful Death

Resources

Blog Contact Us Firm News

Client Testimonials Read all reviews

5-star review image
Workmans Comp
Workers Compensation  |  Denver
Retained by injured worker when he was put at Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) with permanent work restrictions.
2015-12-02
"I was very satisfied with the representation I received. Very knowledgeable and professional. I highly recommend The BABCOCK ..."
AM, Verified Customer
5-star review image
Dedicated; Amazing; Personal; Professional; Law Firm
Workers Compensation  |  Westminster
Retained for representation after injured worker put at maximum medical improvement with no impairment. Pursued a favorable Division Independent Medical Evaluation (DIME) and obtained a financial settlement for client.
2016-07-09
"Professional,dedicated & go above & beyond.Take the time to make sure you understand.Go over the routes you ..."
Beth, Verified Customer
5-star review image
This letter is addressed to anyone searching for best legal representation.
Workers Compensation  |  Littleton
Retained to represent for denied claim. Filed an Application for Hearing resulting in a negotiated settlement.
2017-02-10
"In September 2016 I contacted the Babcock Law Firm to seek help with my workers compensation (injury) case... I ..."
Garrett, Verified Customer

Footer

Association Badges
Association Badges

Schedule your free consultation with our attorney

No cost – No commitment

(303) 683-5033
The Babcock Law Firm
Denver Workers' Compensation Lawyer and Personal Injury Attorney Mack Babcock
4600 S Ulster Street, Suite 800 Denver, CO 80237 United States

Personal Injury
Practice Areas

  • Car Accidents
  • Truck Accidents
  • Motorcycle Accidents
  • Drunk Driving Accidents
  • Pedestrian Accidents
  • Workers' Comp / Work Injuries
  • Slip & Falls (Premises Liability)
  • Insurance Disputes
  • Wrongful Death
  • Colorado Springs Workers’ Compensation

Resources

  • Blog
  • Firm News

Free eBooks

  • Colorado Workers' Comp Guide
  • Colorado Car Accident Guide

Our Firm

  • Firm Mission
  • Attorney Profiles
  • Practice Areas
  • Contact

    Facebook    Twitter    Blog

The Babcock Law Firm: Colorado Enjuris Partner Attorney
More
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Legal Disclaimer & Terms of Use
  • Local & Reviews
© 2023 The Babcock Law Firm. Colorado law firm for workers' compensation, car accidents & personal injury. Serving all of Colorado and the Denver metro area from our Denver law office law firm internet marketing by SEO Advantage®