Personal injury attorneys see rise in accidents caused by distracted drivers | The auto accident lawyer
In 2012, approximately 420,000 people were injured and 3,300 killed as a result of distracted drivers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), that was about 10% higher than the year before.
Texting while driving is becoming the most common cause of distracted driving and these numbers will continue to rise. Although to date, 44 states have banned texting while driving, resulting accidents have not diminished. A Pew Research study shows that younger women are more likely to be involved in an accident because of texting while driving:
“In a study comparing boys texting behaviors to girls, Pew Research found, on average, girls typically send and receive 80 texts a day while boys send and receive 30.”
And these numbers are not on the decline.
A few states (Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas) have banned inexperienced drivers from texting. In January, 2017, a senate committee in Arizona proposed a 6-month ban on the use of communication electronic devices for teen licensees. As reported by The Arizona Republic: “The bill calls for a $75 fine and a 30-day extension of the six-month limit on a teen’s graduated driver’s license for the first offense.” There are no such restrictions in Montana.
It is estimated that 660,000 drivers use their cell phones and/or manipulate electronic devices at any given daylight moment while driving according to the NHTSA. Distracted drivers in many instances run red lights, cross center lines in the roadway and rear end vehicles in front of them. Young drivers do NOT understand the concept of time and distance. It only takes a few seconds – eyes off the road – and it is too late to avoid an accident.
Early education may reduce auto accidents, injuries and deaths
Teaching young and inexperienced drivers about the dangers of texting while driving will minimize accidents and prevent serious injuries as well as loss of lives. Placing the cell phone out of reach or turning off the cell phone while driving is recommended. In addition, passengers should be made aware of the dangers and try to prevent texting while driving by assisting the driver with any necessary cell phone use. If you are a passenger, remind the driver not to reach for the cell phone – it can wait until later.
Experienced personal injury attorneys and auto accident lawyer litigate distracted driver cases
It is apparent after some accidents that the cause of the crash was a driver distracted by a cell phone and possibly texting while driving. Officers may include this information in their police report as the official cause of the collision. But if it has not been determined at the scene of the accident, a good private investigator employed by your attorney may be able to uncover this information on your behalf. Further, your experienced personal injury lawyer might reveal this relevant fact during the discovery process when cell phone records may be obtained. In addition, witnesses to the accident may be of help in their eye-witness testimony.
If there is reason to believe the defendant driver was distracted by their cell phone and possibly texting, an auto accident lawyer in Indianapolis, IN experienced in personal injury cases will use every resource to investigate. Indiana has a law that bans texting while driving and the personal injury attorneys at Ward & Ward Law Firm will leverage the law on your behalf.
Call Charlie Ward today at 317-639-9501 if you or someone you know was injured or killed in a collision caused by a texting driver.
By Charlie Ward
Ward & Ward Law Firm 728 S Meridian St Indianapolis, IN 46225 317-639-9501
