We’ve all heard that distracted driving is dangerous. But just of risky is it? The statistics may startle you.

According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control, distracted driving in 2017 directly caused more than 3,000 motorist deaths. That’s about nine deaths per day attributable to distracted driving. Another 1,000 people are injured each day in these wrecks.

There are many ways that distracted driving can occur. It is most often seen through cellphone use while driving, whether that be surfing the web, sending test messages, or dialing a phone number. There are other forms of distraction, too, though, including tuning the radio, reading, grooming, eating, interacting with passengers, and reaching for items on the floorboard.

Many people think that they can multitask while driving by merely glancing away from the road for just a few moments to do something else. But this is extremely dangerous. When traveling at 55 miles per hour, taking your eyes off the road for only five seconds means that you can travel the length of a football field without ever seeing the road. A lot can happen in that distance that puts others motorists and pedestrians at risk of serious harm.

Although law enforcement agencies and public service organizations have made valiant strides to curtail distracted driving, it isn’t enough. Surviving families and those who are fortunate to survive distracted driving accidents often struggle to find a way to move on, too, especially given the considerable physical, emotional, and financial damage that can be thrust upon them. Mere public awareness campaigns aren’t enough for them.

Fortunately, these families can seek relief. It might require taking legal action, but with a little bit of knowledge and work, they may be able to impose liability and recover the compensation to which they are entitled. Hopefully, then, they can get back to as normal of a life as is possible following their accident.