A recent Car Accident in New York killed one and injure three more.  The car accident involved five vehicles, according to The Wall Street Journal.  The accident happened just before 5:00 p.m. when a car that was driven by a 23-year-old crossed into oncoming traffic on Route 11 and slammed into a tractor-trailer.  That first accident set off a domino effect that caused three more vehicles to crash. 

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According to officers, inattention was a top contributor to this accident.

Our New York Car Accident Lawyers have previously reported about the dangers of driver distractions.  In fact, there were approximately 3,100 people who were killed in distraction-related car accidents in the country in 2010.  The fact of the matter is that these accidents are completely preventable.  In the state of New York, it is illegal for any driver to talk on a hand-held cell phone or text message when operating a motor vehicle. Distractions can include activities other than using cell phones and text messaging devices though.  Distractions can include, eating, drinking, looking at maps, talking with passengers, smoking and much more.  A distraction happens when a driver takes their mind, their eyes or their concentration off of the task at hand -- driving.

"Lives are being lost in the blink of an eye. You can't take it back, you can't have a do over, and you can't rewind," said Deborah Hersman, chairwoman of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

As of July of 2011, the New York distracted driving-related laws were expanded to cover any and all hand-held electronic devices.  If you're busted using one of these devices while your vehicle is in motion, you could potentially face a fine of $150 and 3 points on your driver's license.

There are a few things that you can do to help to minimize distractions while you're driving. 

-Before you head out, make sure you know where you're headed to avoid having to use a map or a GPS.  If you need help with directions, ask a passenger. 

0If you need to make a phone call or text message, pull over and do so while you're stopped in a safe area. 

-Never eat or drink in your vehicle.  Pull over and do so in a safe area. 

-Be cautious of your passengers, too.  Ask your passengers to be considerate while you're driving.  Passengers are some of the most common distractions leading to accidents.