What Are Manual Distractions While Driving?

Manual distractions while driving occur when drivers take one or both hands off the steering wheel to engage in non-driving tasks. While many people assume that using a cellphone is the only danger, manual distractions encompass a wide variety of everyday behaviors.

At Craig Swapp & Associates, our Salt Lake City accident attorneys have seen the devastating impact these distracted driving accidents can have on individuals and families. If you or a loved one has been injured in a collision involving a distracted driver, our legal team is here to help you pursue compensation and justice.

What Are Manual Distractions?

Manual distractions are a specific type of distracted driving where the driver physically removes one or both hands from the steering wheel. While driving, maintaining full control of the vehicle with both hands is essential for safety. Taking a hand off the wheel – even briefly – can delay reaction time and impair your ability to avoid a crash.

Manual distractions differ from visual (eyes off the road) and cognitive (mind off driving) distractions. However, they often occur together. For example, texting while driving is a triple threat – a manual, visual, and cognitive distraction rolled into one.

Examples of manual distractions while driving include:

• Typing or reading a text message
• Reaching into a purse, glovebox, or back seat
• Adjusting the radio, climate controls, or navigation system
• Holding food, drinks, or snacks
• Smoking or vaping while driving
• Applying makeup or grooming
• Holding a phone to make a call instead of using hands-free options
• Picking up dropped items on the car floor

These behaviors may seem harmless or routine, but even two seconds with one hand off the wheel can mean the difference between a close call and a deadly crash.

Dangers of Manual Distraction While Driving 

Manual distractions can be just as deadly as texting behind the wheel. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving claimed 3,275 lives in 2023 alone, and many of those deaths involved drivers who removed their hands from the wheel while engaged in unrelated tasks.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that distracted driving is a factor in 25–30% of all motor vehicle crashes, which equates to over 4,000 crashes every day. 

Real-world scenarios of dangerous manual distractions include:

• A driver reaching for a cup of coffee on the floor misses a stop sign.
• A motorist adjusting their seat or mirror causes a sideswipe collision.
• Someone trying to retrieve a phone from under the seat veers into another lane.

These examples show how seemingly minor distractions can result in serious, life-altering accidents. The risk isn’t worth it.

Other Types of Distracted Driving

While manual distractions involve taking your hands off the wheel, they are just one part of the broader category of distracted driving.

• Visual Distractions: These occur when a driver takes their eyes off the road. Visual distractions are incredibly dangerous because they reduce a driver’s ability to see and react to hazards. 
• Cognitive Distractions: These take the driver’s mind off driving, impairing their focus and decision-making ability. Although the driver’s eyes may still be on the road and hands on the wheel, cognitive distractions can slow reaction times and reduce awareness.
• Combined Distractions: The most dangerous distractions involve multiple types at once. For instance, texting while driving involves manual (typing), visual (reading), and cognitive (thinking about the message) distractions simultaneously.

Whether visual, cognitive, or manual, if that impairs one’s ability to drive safely, you may be entitled to compensation.

Utah’s Distracted Driving Laws  

Utah takes distracted driving seriously, having enacted strict laws to regulate the use of electronic devices while driving. 

Utah’s distracted driving laws make it illegal to operate a motor vehicle while using a handheld wireless device for actions such as:

• Text messaging
• Dialing a phone number
• Accessing the internet
• Entering information into navigation apps
• Recording or watching videos

Exceptions under Utah law include:

• Use of GPS functions if pre-programmed
• Hands-free and voice-operated controls
• Making emergency calls
• Law enforcement and emergency vehicle personnel while on duty

In addition to cell phone use, drivers who engage in manual distractions like eating or reaching for objects may also be cited for reckless or inattentive driving under Utah’s general traffic laws.

Utah’s distracted driving statutes have evolved to address the rise of smartphones and multitasking behind the wheel. However, any behavior that impairs driving control, even if not explicitly named in the statute, can be used to establish fault in an accident claim.

Penalties and Fines for Distracted Driving 

Utah’s penalties for distracted driving are structured to discourage repeat offenses and reduce road fatalities. A distracted driving citation can lead to legal, financial, and insurance-related consequences. Consequences under Utah law include fines, jail time, license suspension, and citations.

A driver found to have caused an accident due to manual distractions while driving may also be subject to civil liability. This includes paying for the injured party’s medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. A conviction or even a citation for distracted driving can also serve as strong evidence in a personal injury lawsuit.

What to Do After an Accident Caused by a Manual Distraction

If you’ve been in a car crash caused by another driver’s manual distraction while driving, follow these steps:

• Call 911: Emergency responders can document the scene and provide medical attention.

• Get Medical Attention: Some injuries may not appear right away. Always get evaluated and follow up with care.

• Collect Evidence: Take pictures of the vehicles, road conditions, and your injuries. Document any signs of distraction (e.g., spilled food, a phone on the floor).

• Get Witness Statements: Witnesses can confirm that the at-fault driver was distracted.

• Request the Police Report: Officers often note distracted behavior in their official accident documentation.

• Contact a Salt Lake City Accident Attorney: Having an attorney ensures that your rights are protected, and your case is positioned for full compensation.

Taking the right steps after an accident caused by manual distraction can make a significant difference in protecting your health, preserving evidence, and strengthening your legal claim.

Compensation in Distracted Driving Accident Claims

When a driver’s negligence causes harm, Utah personal injury law allows victims to seek financial recovery. With the help of accident attorneys in Utah, injured individuals may claim compensation for:

• Emergency medical expenses
• Surgery, therapy, and long-term treatment
• Lost income and lost future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Mental anguish
• Property damage to your vehicle
• Punitive damages (in extreme negligence cases)

Every case is different, and settlement amounts vary based on the severity of injuries, the clarity of evidence, and insurance policy limits. An experienced Utah accident attorney can evaluate your case and guide you through the recovery process.

How to Prove Negligence in Distracted Driving Accidents

To win an auto accident claim involving distracted driving, the injured party (plaintiff) must establish the other driver’s negligence. This typically requires proving four key elements:

• Duty: The driver had a duty to operate their vehicle safely.
• Breach: The driver breached this duty by engaging in manual distractions.
• Causation: The breach of duty directly caused the accident.
• Damages: You suffered physical, emotional, and/or financial harm.

Common types of evidence in manual distraction cases include:

• Cell phone records
• Vehicle event data recorders (EDRs)
• Dashcam or surveillance footage
• Eyewitness accounts
• Police officer statements and citations
• Photos showing spilled food, dropped items, or other signs of distraction

Your Salt Lake City accident attorney may also work with accident reconstruction experts or medical professionals to strengthen your car accident claim.

How to File a  Manual Distraction Car Accident 

Filing a successful insurance or car accident claim in Utah involves several steps. 

Here’s how the process typically unfolds:

• Notify Insurance Companies: File a report with your insurance provider promptly. If another driver was at fault, file a claim against their insurer.

• Gather Documentation: Compile medical records, photos, repair bills, and witness statements. The more evidence, the stronger your case.

• Work with an Attorney: An experienced lawyer can help calculate your damages, handle negotiations, and push for maximum compensation.

• Send a Demand Letter: This letter outlines the facts of the case, the injuries sustained, and the compensation you are seeking.

• Settlement Negotiations: Most claims settle out of court. However, if a fair offer isn’t made, your attorney may recommend filing a lawsuit.

• File a Lawsuit: Utah has a statute of limitations for personal injury claims from the date of the accident. Ensure you have enough time to file a valid claim.

Filing a distracted driving claim is complex, and insurers often attempt to minimize payouts. An experienced Utah accident attorney is essential for protecting your rights and maximizing your recovery.

Statute of Limitations for Distracted Driving Accidents

When filing a car accident claim after a manual distracted driving accident, it’s crucial to understand the statute of limitations – the legal deadline for initiating a lawsuit. If you miss this window, you may lose your right to seek compensation entirely.

In Utah, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit, including those involving manual distractions while driving, is 4 years from the date of the accident. In other states, such as Arizona and Idaho, victims have 2 years from the date of the accident to pursue a claim.

Because statutes can vary based on the type of damage or specific circumstances (e.g., wrongful death, claims involving minors, or government entities), it’s critical to consult a Utah accident attorney or a local attorney in your state.

How to Prevent Manual Distraction While Driving

While it’s important to hold distracted drivers accountable, it’s equally important to adopt safe habits and lead by example. Preventing manual distraction when driving is about forming mindful behaviors and eliminating in-car temptations.

• Secure Items Before Driving: Place phones, bags, and snacks where they won’t shift.
• Pre-set GPS and Climate Controls: Program routes and adjust air or heat before you start driving.
• Eat Before or After Your Trip: Avoid snacking on the road, especially when traveling alone.
• Use Voice Commands and Hands-free Tech: Take advantage of vehicle-integrated controls to manage calls or messages.
• Keep Pets Restrained: Use pet carriers or vehicle harnesses to prevent distractions.
• Silence Notifications: Turn off alerts or activate Do Not Disturb mode on your phone.
• Educate Teen Drivers: Teens are at higher risk for distracted driving. Set expectations and monitor their driving habits.

For commercial drivers or fleet operators, implement no-device-use policies and provide training on distraction-free driving. Employers may be liable for accidents caused by distracted employee drivers.

Preventing manual distraction when driving is about forming mindful behaviors and eliminating in-car temptations. 

Frequently Asked Questions

• What qualifies as a manual distraction? Any activity that causes you to take one or both hands off the wheel, such as texting, eating, or adjusting controls, is considered a manual distraction.

• • What if I was partly at fault? Utah uses modified comparative negligence. If you’re less than 50% at fault, you can still recover damages, reduced by your share of liability.
  • Will my case go to trial? Most distracted driving cases settle before trial, but your accident attorney in Utah will prepare for litigation if necessary.
  • Are punitive damages available? In rare, egregious cases – such as repeated texting while driving despite prior citations – punitive damages may be awarded.

• Do I need a lawyer to file a claim? While not legally required, hiring an attorney significantly increases your chances of success and fair compensation.

Speak with Our Accident Attorneys to Assist You

Manual distractions while driving are far more dangerous than many people realize. As distracted driving accidents continue to rise, legal accountability becomes more critical than ever. 

If you or someone you love has been injured in a crash caused by a distracted driver, Craig Swapp & Associates is ready to help. As trusted injury attorneys in Utah, we handle cases involving distracted driving across Utah and also serve clients in Idaho, Washington, Montana, Oregon, Wyoming, Colorado, and Arizona.

Call us today at 866-308-3626 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation.