Like most other drivers here in West Virginia and elsewhere in the country, you have probably eaten while driving at some point. Perhaps you do it more often than you would like because your schedule, commute or other factors limit your time, and you have to eat at some point.
Unfortunately, when you do, you increase the odds of ending up in an accident. Realistically, eating or drinking anything while driving increases the chances of having an accident.
The most dangerous foods to eat while driving
A study shows some foods are more dangerous than others. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, eating the foods below while behind the wheel substantially increases the chances of an accident:
- Chocolate
- Hot coffee
- Donuts
- Hamburgers
Just because a food isn’t on this list does not mean it is safe to eat while you drive. The study also indicated that more women than men eat in the car. You may expect that millennials would represent the biggest offenders when it comes to this distracting behavior, but you would be wrong. The data indicates that it’s the baby boomers who are doing it most.
While most of the ad campaigns focus on cell phone use when it comes to distracted driving, eating can be just as dangerous, if not more so in some situations. If you consider how much of your attention is taken off the road if you drop part of your meal in your lap, it isn’t hard to see why this activity can be so distracting and hazardous.
Was the other driver eating?
Did you discover after the accident that the other driver was eating behind the wheel? This could prove to be the primary reason why the other vehicle struck yours. If you suffered serious injuries in the crash, you will most likely incur substantial medical bills, lost time from work and more. Even if your life is only disrupted temporarily, the damage to your finances could be devastating. As you work toward recovery, the last thing you need is to worry about this and your pursuit of compensation.
Negotiating with insurance companies and facing litigation alone will only increase the stress and frustration of the situation. Instead, you could consult with an attorney who can advocate for you in your legal matters so that you can focus on your recovery and getting your life back on track.