Eating
Eating while driving accidents are among the most common forms of distracted driving, yet many people do this every single day. Unfortunately, thousands of people are injured every year by people eating while driving. If you are one of these victims of distracted drivers, you may need a car accident attorney for your case.
Eating While Driving Isn’t Illegal, But It May Be Negligent
There are no laws in Texas prohibiting eating while driving, yet it commonly contributes to car accidents. Many people believe that because it isn’t illegal that means it’s not dangerous. However, this isn’t the case. Yet, accidents happen all the time due to eating while driving.
Eating while driving can distract from driving in a few ways. One of the biggest ways eating while driving can contribute to accidents is through manual distractions. Eating a French fry or drinking your morning coffee takes at least one hand away from the wheel, which can affect a driver’s ability to respond to obstacles and avoid accidents.
However, like other forms of distracted driving, it can also create other distractions. For instance, looking at your next bite or at the stain from some spilled ketchup can take your eyes off the road and create another layer of distraction. Also, many drivers end up thinking more about their food than the road, which causes cognitive distraction.
Therefore, there are many reasons eating while driving is a dangerous driving habit. Drivers who eat while operating their vehicle can cause serious accidents. Often, drivers distracted by eating may fail to stop and yield the right of way to other drivers or fail to avoid road obstacles that can cause an accident.
One study even found that eating while driving decreased reaction speeds by 44%, while drinking non-alcoholic beverages while driving decreased reaction times by 22%. Sipping on a beverage while driving also makes drivers 18% more likely to experience poor lane control. All of these circumstances can increase the risk of an accident.
Car Accident Lawyers for Eating While Driving Accidents
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Repair costs
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages