Distracted driving has injured hundreds of thousands of people annually, which is why April has been designated Distracted Driving Awareness Month by the National Safety Council. This month-long campaign aims to remind motorists of why they should always focus on the road ahead when they are en route. Below are some thoughts to be mindful of.

The Consequences Could Be Devastating

A driving distraction is anything that takes your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel, or your focus off the traffic around you. Some of the most dangerous distractions—like texting—do all three. Motorists who fall victim to common driving distractions have less time to respond to any hazards arising.

In some cases, they may not notice the danger at all, and in others, they may see it too late to make an evasive maneuver, which ultimately prevents a collision. People who drive while distracted are not only putting themselves at risk of severe personal injury and death, but they also put those around them at risk.

The Legal Ramifications Could Be Costly 

If you fall victim to a driving distraction like texting, causing a catastrophic crash is not the only potential consequence. There are also legal ramifications of distracted driving, and police have fairly ingenious ways of catching motorists who are not paying attention when behind the wheel.

For example, it is not uncommon for officers to pose as panhandlers at intersections where motorists are likely to check their phones when stopped at a light. In the state of Virginia, the penalties for texting and driving include a fine of $125 for a first offense, a fine of $250 for a subsequent violation, and demerit points against your license. If you accumulate too many demerit points within a certain period of time, you could lose your license. If you cause a collision while texting and driving, there could be additional legal and financial ramifications as well. 

If you’re hurt in a car accident with a distracted driver, a strategic personal injury lawyer from The Law Offices of Daniel L. Crandall & Associates will help you prove fault to secure compensation for the damages. Based in Roanoke, VA, this firm is proud to help injured parties piece their lives together again. In fact, their legal team has more than a century of combined experience doing this. Visit the website, or call 1-800-LAW-8000 to schedule a free telephone consultation with a compassionate personal injury attorney.