Cell phones are used by everyone these days in virtually every context. It is common for people to use their phones constantly from the moment they awake until the moment they fall asleep. Unfortunately, when it comes to using the phone in the car, this can be dangerous. In the case of texting and driving, people are so distracted and take their eyes off the road for so long, they are as impaired as drunk drivers. When you have been injured in an accident by a driver who was texting, that driver should pay for your injuries because of their negligence.
An experienced car accident attorney can help improve your chances of getting compensation for your texting and driving accident, and may increase the amount of your compensation. This page contains general information about texting and driving, but you need to talk to a lawyer to learn about the laws in your area. Please contact AccidentAttorneys.org today to find an experienced car accident attorney in your area.
Texting and Driving Is as Bad as Drunk Driving
Research has shown that texting and driving is at least as bad as driving while intoxicated at the legal blood alcohol limit. In some cases, it’s worse. Drivers who text while driving are 23 times more likely to get in an accident than drivers who are not texting. Many studies, both formal and informal have shown that distracted driving results in a unique, and potentially more dangerous driver impairment than driving drunk.
Some estimates say that as much as 75% of all accidents are caused by distracted driving, and cell phone use has been associated with about 18% of all distracted driving fatalities.
Texting and Driving Is a Comprehensive Distraction
The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) focuses on three types of distractions that can impair a driver’s ability to respond properly to road situations:
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Visual
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Manual
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Cognitive
Texting involves all three types of distraction, which is what makes it such a dangerous distraction. The visual distraction from texting and driving is particularly alarming. On average, a texter takes their eyes off the road for 4.6 seconds. Taking your eyes off the road for 2 seconds has been shown to increase car accident risk by a factor of three. The NHTSA compares texting while driving at 55 mph to driving the length of a football field while blindfolded.
Texting and Driving May Be Illegal
Recognizing the danger, legislators have begun passing laws banning texting and driving across the country. Currently, 41 states including DC have banned texting while driving. Drivers who violate these laws put others at risk and should be held responsible for their negligent actions.
Even in states where texting while driving is not banned, drivers who practice this dangerous distraction may be considered negligent and therefore required to compensate accident victims.
Find an Expert Accident Attorney
An accident attorney that has experience with successful handling of car accident claims related to texting and driving may give you a better chance at getting compensation and may increase the amount of compensation you receive. All the attorneys at AccidentAttorneys.org have been recognized by independent agencies as having the expertise to handle personal injury lawsuits, including texting and driving claims.
To talk to an experienced car accident attorney in your area, please contact AccidentAttorneys.org today.
