April is distracted driving awareness month, and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is reminding motorists about the dangers of being inattentive while behind the while. CDOT is joining together with law enforcement agencies across the state in creating safety campaigns to remove distracted drivers from area roadways.
These efforts are in response to the increase number of distracted driving accidents happening on state roadways. CDOT reports that distracted driving accidents have risen 16 percent over the past four years. Perhaps more alarming, a survey by the agency of Colorado motorists indicated that nearly 25 percent of drivers admitted to using their cellphones while driving.
Despite the increased efforts by police to observe distracted driving motorists, it is extremely difficult for officers to be able to catch every driver who is engaging in this dangerous behavior. Some drivers conceal the use of their cellphones, navigation systems and other devices and they are only caught once they cause a crash.
What this means for you
Because of the increase of distracted driving accidents, we wanted to pass along some helpful tips to you in the event that you are involved in one of these incidents. If the other driver mentions distracted driving to you, make sure that this is something that makes its way into the accident report. Some officers will not include this information in their write-up of the accident, and this can make it much more difficult for you later.
If you suspect that distraction was a factor in your crash, consult with an experienced personal injury attorney about your case. Your attorney may be able to collect and examine records to see if the other driver was using his or her phone at the time of the accident.
Additionally, your attorney will be able to assist you with any claims for compensation that you may have against these drivers. This includes expenses to cover any damages to your vehicle, as well as compensation for medical bills.