Car accidents happen all the time. Many car accidents are caused by drunk drivers, aggression, inexperience, speeding and weather. However, one of the biggest causes of auto accidents is distracted driving.

Distracted driving is the act of driving without paying attention to the road. A driver may be distracted if they take their eyes off the road to look at something else, which lowers their reaction speed. Or, if a driver takes their hands off the wheel to interact with something else, which reduces their control of their vehicle. A driver may also be cognitively distracted if they start thinking about something other than driving.

Nearly anything can become a distraction. However, some distractions are more common than others. Here’s what you should know:

1. Texting and instant messaging

Texting and instant messaging are among the biggest causes of distracted driving, and drivers seem to have a real problem resisting their phones in the car. Phones are made to grab people’s attention. An ill-timed phone call or text could cause a driver to look away from the road and crash into another vehicle.

2. Eating and drinking

Many people get hungry while driving, especially people who miss meals while running late to work or people who are driving long trips with very few breaks, for example. Eating requires a lot more attention than people realize. A driver may have to unwrap a meal and hold it while driving, which may jeopardize their ability to drive.

3. Radio and air conditioner

Every modern car comes fully equipped with a radio and air conditioner. Yet, many people don’t realize just how dangerous these things are. Many drivers have to free a hand from their wheel to change the radio station or adjust the air in their car, which opens them up for an accident.

There are very few ways to control whether a driver is distracted while on the road, except for being a good defensive driver. You could still end up in a car accident with a distracted driver, however. If that happens, you need to learn your legal options when seeking compensation.