We all love our smartphones. It may be hard for many of us to imagine that we walked around without the internet in our pockets. With a smartphone, everything is at your fingertips. For many, the temptation to reach out to friends and stay active online is extremely difficult to resist, even when behind the wheel. This can lead to accidents caused by distracted driving. As our society adapts to life with smartphones, we often find ourselves struggling to incorporate them into our lives without allowing them to take over our lives.
When distracted driving leads to a car accident, the driver and others involved can suffer serious injuries. People harmed by a distracted driver may be entitled to seek compensation for the expenses related to the injuries through personal injury claims.
End Your Addiction
The good news is this: just because you are currently addicted to your smartphone does not mean you have to stay that way forever. Kicking your smartphone addiction can require a concentrated effort. The first thing you need to do to be successful is to want to end your smartphone addiction. If you are not ready to unplug, wait until you are. Once you know it is time to kick the habit, consider using one of the following strategies, as outlined by CNBC:
- Find a new sharing outlet. For many of us, sharing our thoughts, feelings, and daily activities through social media has become second nature. Fulfill your need to share by writing your thoughts in a journal or speaking with a friend face-to-face.
- Schedule technology breaks. Getting rid of your smartphone is probably not an option. If this is the case, work on limiting your dependence on the phone for regular stimulation by scheduling smartphone-free blocks of your day. During these periods of time, turn the phone off and place it out of sight so you are not tempted to use it.
- Allow yourself to be bored. Boredom is often what sends us to pick up the phone and start playing – boredom when walking down the street, standing in a checkout line, riding public transportation, or waiting for an appointment to begin. Resist the urge to pull your phone out and let yourself be bored. Let your mind wander and allow yourself to take in your environment. This can take some practice, but it will eventually result in a decreased urge for social media and smartphone games.
- Disable Notifications. Turn off the notifications so your smartphone no longer buzzes or rings every time you receive an email or text message. These constant buzzes throughout the day disrupt your concentration, make you want to pick up the phone and feed the addiction you are trying to break.
What to Do If You are Hurt by a Distracted Driver
If you have been injured in a car accident caused by a distracted driver in South Texas, turn to an experienced personal injury attorney to seek compensation for your losses. At Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C., we represent clients who have suffered injuries through no fault of their own. We help them get the money they need to recover from their losses. Our legal team is dedicated to keeping our roads safe and helping those who are victims of driver negligence. Contact us today for assistance.
