Distracted driving is dangerous and deadly. Distracted driving claimed 2,841 lives in 2018, including 1,730 drivers, 605 passengers, 400 pedestrians, and 77 bicyclists. Distracted driving, however, is trending downward. In 2017, 2.9% of drivers used handheld cell phones, down from 3.3% in 2016. A serious injuries lawyer, like one from the Law Office of Paul Englander, PLC, can investigate fault, consult with an accident reconstructionist, and look into applicable insurance. Potential claims for injuries and economic losses can be evaluated.
Distracted driving reportedly kills 8 people every day in the United States. In 2018, more than 2,800 people were killed and an estimated 400,000 were injured in crashes involving a distracted driver. Furthermore, about 20% of the people who died in crashes involving a distracted driver were not inside vehicles, they were walking, riding their bikes, or outside a vehicle.
Distraction may be in the form of anything that takes attention away from driving. Distractions can be visual, manual, or cognitive. Texting, talking on a cell phone, using a navigation system, and eating while driving are all forms of distracted driving. Any of these distractions can endanger the driver, passengers, and other drivers on the road, pedestrians.
Texting is the one distraction that is the most cause for alarm. It takes about five seconds to send or read a text. When driving at 55 mph, that is the equivalent of blindly traveling the length of an entire football field.
Many states have enacted laws to help prevent distracted driving such as banning texting while driving, implementing hands-free laws, and limiting the number of young passengers who can ride with teen drivers. Some states have also installed strips on highways to alert drowsy, distracted, or otherwise inattentive drivers that they are about to go off the road.
Young adult and teen drivers are most at risk for distracted driving. In 2018, 2% of the distracted drivers involved in fatal crashes were young adults aged 20-29. Those who texted or emailed while driving were also more likely to report other risky behaviors, such as not wearing a seatbelt and driving after drinking alcohol.
Following a collision with injuries, a personal injury attorney can evaluate fault, applicable insurance coverage and potential claims for injuries and damages since the crash and in the future. There should be no charge for a consultation, there should be no fees unless a settlement is obtained. Litigation may be necessary to obtain a more favorable offer or result.