Increasingly, distractions are proving to be a menace on our nation's roads. The U.S. Department of Transportation calls distracted driving "a serious, life-threatening practice," and reports that distracted driving crashes injured 448,000 people nationwide in 2009. Although we hope that all drivers take seriously their duty to behave responsibly when they take the wheel of a motor vehicle, the fact is that drivers' attention can be diverted from the road all too easily. When that happens, the result may be a traffic accident that leaves you or someone you care about with injuries.

Our St. Louis distracted driving accident attorney at Ryan R. Cox & Associates knows that the aftermath of any kind of motor vehicle collision can be a distressing time, especially if the crash left you seriously hurt. Our experience in representing the victims of distracted drivers and other careless motorists has taught us that it is important to understand your rights and to have a strong advocate on your side who knows how to ensure that you have access to the care you need in order to get you on the road to recovery.

As a respected St. Louis personal injury and wrongful death lawyer, Ryan R. Cox has provided the informed guidance that accident victims and their families need in order to pursue claims for damages when careless or negligent drivers have hurt them. Our firm knows that motorists can be distracted in multiple ways. Visual distractions take a driver's eyes from the road, while cognitive distractions interfere with thinking, taking the driver's mind off the road. The surge in popularity of cell phones causes another type of distraction - manual. A manual distraction actually takes the driver's hands off the wheel of the vehicle. Our St. Louis distracted driving accident lawyer has seen numerous crashes caused by drivers who were more interested in talking on the phone or texting. We know the damage that even a moment's inattention can do.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that cell phone use is involved in 18% of the deaths that occur because of distracted driving - nearly 3 fatalities every day in the U.S. At Ryan R. Cox & Associates, our St. Louis car accident attorney knows that a variety of other factors can distract drivers, too. Federal government research into accidents caused by distracted drivers lists these common problems:

• Cell phone use
• Drinking
• Eating
• Conversing with passengers
• Personal grooming
• Reading maps or other material
• Adjusting the radio
• Operating navigation devices
• Operating other electronic equipment
• Watching videos

At Ryan R. Cox & Associates, you'll find a St. Louis distracted driving accident attorney who is sympathetic to the trauma you've endured when a driver's inattention has left you badly hurt. As an experienced wrongful death lawyer, we also are sensitive to the grief you and your family feel when an accident takes the life of a loved one. That's why we pledge you our personal attention and the tenacious representation you and your family need in order to recover the maximum compensation available to help with medical costs, funeral expenses, pain and suffering, financial needs, and other factors. We understand that a motor vehicle accident can change your life and the lives of your family members in the space of a few seconds. You can rely on our knowledge and professional experience to serve you effectively during this distressing time.

Ryan R. Cox & Associates assists victims of car and truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, drunk-driving accidents, and other events causing personal injury or death. Our firm offers you a free consultation to discuss the distracted-driving or other accident that hurt you or took the life of a loved one. We can explain your legal rights and what we can do to help. You owe us no fee unless we recover for you.

Ryan R. Cox & Associates . 636-946-6886 . www.rrcandassociates.com