Minnesota residents may be aware that distracted driving is a widespread issue and even engage in it themselves. The Travelers Companies has been able to gather some interesting data on this trend through a survey of more than 2,000 consumers and executives. It can be found in the 2019 Travelers Risk Index.
Forty-four percent of those who were surveyed admitted to sending emails or texts while behind the wheel, making this the most prominent form of distracted driving. After that came social media use (23 percent) and taking pictures or recording videos (22 percent). Nineteen percent are not deterred by the law, saying they will not stop driving distracted on account of it.
While some of the respondents admitted it would be hard to break their habit of reading or sending texts and emails, 54 percent said they would stop a distracting activity if someone asked them to. Lack of communication still persists with 16 percent saying that they do not speak up when riding with a distracted driver.
Workplace accountability plays a role. Twenty percent of those surveyed feel they must answer work-related messages, or they might upset their boss. Eighty-seven percent of employers say they expect connectivity with their workers even outside the office. At the same time, two-thirds of businesses have employee education programs that touch on distracted driving.
When texting and driving or some other form of negligence is to blame for a crash, victims will, first of all, need to file a claim with their own insurer. Minnesota is a no-fault state. To file a personal injury claim, it must be shown that the crash resulted in permanent bodily injury. This is where a lawyer may come in handy. Victims may also rely on their attorney during negotiations and, as a last resort, the litigation stage.
