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Thomas DeLattre and Glen D. Wieland

Zoom meetings may factor in with higher auto accident risk

On Behalf of | Apr 27, 2021 | Distracted Driving, Motor Vehicle Accidents |

For people in Florida who need to teleconference for work, using Zoom or other methods has allowed them to remain in touch with their colleagues and perform their duties. However, there is a growing concern that people may suffer aftereffects from these meetings, potentially resulting in a car crash.

Loss of concentration could factor in with spike in fatal crashes

According to experts in road safety, the increase in auto accidents during 2020 could be partially due to drivers lapsing in concentration following teleconferences. People who spend a significant portion of their day in these meetings and using computers in general might experience cognitive overload. In a recent survey, 54% of more than 1,800 adult drivers admitted that they had problems concentrating if they had teleconferences before driving.

Age also plays a role. About 65% of drivers categorized as Gen Z said they lost focus; for millennials, it was 61%, and with Gen X, it was 48%. Distracted driving is generally believed to be linked to using a cellphone, but there are other forms of distraction, including simply getting lost in one’s thoughts.

The National Safety Council reported that there were more than 42,000 road fatalities in 2020. That was nearly one-quarter more than there were in 2019. This was the highest increase from one year to the next in almost a century. Distraction is perceived as a major reason, and that may extend to driving after teleconferences.

The cause of a crash can be essential for a potential claim

If a motor vehicle accident happened because a driver was distracted or for other reasons, this can be critical to showing that the liable driver was negligent. With medical costs, lost companionship, diminished income and the possibility of caring for a loved one who needs assistance, there can be myriad problems after a crash. An experienced attorney may be able to help a victim recoup these costs by proving that the driver who caused the crash was negligent.

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