Distracted driving, especially people texting while driving, is an extremely big problem facing American motorists. According to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 20% of automobile accidents are the direct result of distracted driving, with over 9% of these accidents ending in fatality.
New Problems
Today’s drivers face problems that didn’t exist in earlier generations. In this day and age everyone seems to have a smart phone or tablet, and this increase of hand-held technology has led to a direct increase in distracted driving accidents. Texting and driving has become a serious problem on the roadways. Some studies have suggested that texting while driving may even be more dangerous than drunk driving.
In 2010 alone, 3,092 people were killed in car accidents involving distracted drivers, while more than 450,000 people suffered injury as a direct result of distracted driving. An alarming 13% of all distracted driving-related car accident deaths involve cell-phone use of some kind, especially texting. Unfortunately distracted driving has continued to increase, even after several cities passed bills that banned cell phone use while driving.
Don’t Become another Statistic
It is absolutely critical that you do not text while driving. Texting while driving has a significant and measurable effect on reaction time, as well as the ability to properly respond to other drivers on the road. In some states, litigators have even began prosecuting people who consciously text others that they know are driving. This means that even if you are not physically involved in the car accident, if you were texting with a friend that you knew was driving you too could be held criminally accountable for the accident, including any damages sought.
Remember that a text can always wait, but the injures and financial burdens that result after an accident can last a lifetime.
If You Have Been Injured
If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident and it was not your fault, it is important to contact a personal injury lawyer immediately after your accident. A personal injury attorney will investigate your accident claim and work to determine how and why the accident occurred. It is not wise to go directly to your insurance company or the other driver’s insurance company after an accident. Insurance companies are a profit business, and will try to settle your claim for as little as possible. Only a skilled personal injury lawyer will go the extra mile to make sure you collect fair and full compensation for your injuries and losses.
The attorneys at Fellows Hymowitz Rice P.C. have a record of success in handling a wide range of cases including injuries caused by distracted drivers. We bring the same individual commitment and dedication to each case, big or small. If you have been injured or sustained loss in any type of accident as a result of someone else’s fault call us for a free confidential consultation at 845-639-9300.
Fellows Hymowitz Rice, PC, The Right Lawyers Make a Real Difference