The Link between Cell Phones and Auto Accidents
Despite undeniable evidence that cell phone use is dangerous while driving, a shocking amount of drivers still text or talk while on the road. Sadly, these people not only put themselves at risk of a car accident, but also other drivers, passengers, and nearby pedestrians. While new laws, campaigns, and technological devices are released each year to discourage this habit, distracted driving from cell phone use is still a palpable threat in Salt Lake City and other cities around the country. Refer to the information below to learn the true link between cell phones and auto accidents, and what you should do in the event you are the victim of distracted driving.
The Effects of Cell Phone Use
People who use their phones while driving often convince themselves that they are able to multitask and remain equally focused on the road. However, this is simply not true. Every moment you spend texting or talking, your attention is at least partially diverted from your driving responsibilities. Even drivers who use hands-free devices are statistically impeded in their driving, being more likely to drive slower and exhibit delayed reactions. Here are some of the more notable effects of cell phone use while driving:
- Texting while driving increases the odds of an accident by 23 times
- The average text message pulls a driver’s attention away for five or more seconds
- More than 1 out of 10 drivers aged 18 to 20 who were involved in an accident were texting at the time of the crash.
- From 2010 to 2011, the number of drivers who were observed using electronic devices increased by 44 percent
- By some accounts, cell phones account for 26 percent of all nation-wide car accidents
- Drivers using a cell phone are under greater impairment than those with a blood alcohol content (BAC) level of .08
How Common Is It?
With the increasing social stigma against distracted driving and increasingly harsh laws against cell phone use while driving, one might think that this trend would be on the decline. Unfortunately, accidents from cell phone use remain consistently high. When laws banning texting or talking on a cell phone are first introduced, it’s true that fewer people are observed on their phones. Nevertheless, studies estimate that people are still using their cell phones - they are just more discreet about it. As of 2012:
- 48 percent of teenagers reported being in a car while the driver used a cell phone
- 68 percent of drivers aged 18 to 29 text while driving
- One in five drivers admitted to surfing the internet while driving
The widespread use of cell phones on the road is a scary prospect, especially when combined with the numerous other factors that may affect one’s driving, such as inexperience among newer drivers.
Don’t Let Yourself Be a Victim
Car accidents can result in significant vehicular damage and personal injury, leaving drivers and passengers with a financial burden as well. However, if an accident is not your fault, there is no reason you should have to pay for it. By working with an experienced attorney, you can prove that a distracted driver was in fact the cause of your accident, thereby awarding you compensation for your damages. Even if you were the victim of someone else’s negligent driving, you should not continue to be victimized by medical bills, car repairs, and other financial consequences.
Speak with a Personal Injury Lawyer
If you are injured in an accident due to a distracted driver, you should not be held responsible for any of the damages. Call our office to learn how to proceed, and receive the compensation you deserve.
