There are many types of driver negligence that can lead to car accidents, but distracted driving is one of the most common, and it is also one of the most deadly. Drivers who take their eyes away from the road or who do not completely pay attention to driving put themselves and others at risk. To address this issue, the National Safety Council is recognizing April as Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and police departments throughout the country are increasing efforts to enforce laws against texting while driving. Those who are injured in car accidents caused by distracted drivers can work with an attorney to hold the negligent driver responsible and recover compensation for their damages.
Facts About Distracted Driving Accidents
Safety advocates have been raising alarms about the dangers of distracted driving for years, and they have compiled a number of facts and statistics that highlight this threat. These include:
- Throughout the United States, more than 2,800 people died in car crashes involving distracted driving in 2018. In 2019, more than 3,100 people were killed in these types of accidents, which was a 10% increase. In addition, around 276,000 people were injured in auto accidents involving distracted driving in 2018, meaning that around 750 people were injured every day.
- While 96% of people think that texting while driving is very dangerous, 44% of people have reported reading or sending text messages while driving. In addition, 87% of people think it is dangerous to talk on a cell phone while driving, but 49% of people have reported talking on handheld phones while driving.
- Drivers between the ages of 16 and 24 use electronic devices while driving at higher rates than other drivers.
- If a person takes their eyes off the road for five seconds while traveling at 55 miles per hour, they will cover the length of a football field without seeing what is happening around their vehicle.
Clearly, distracted driving is very dangerous, and a driver who risks others’ safety in this manner may be held liable for a car accident. If you have been injured by a driver who was texting or talking on a cell phone or distracted by other factors inside or outside their vehicle, our lawyers can help you gather evidence to show that this driver acted negligently. This evidence may include cell phone records, testimony from witnesses who observed the driver before and during the crash, security cameras that captured the accident, and police reports, as well as other relevant information, such as recordings of 911 calls, photos of the scene, and medical records.
Contact a Green Bay Distracted Driving Accident Attorney
At Herrling Clark Law Firm, Ltd., we can help you take legal action to recover financial compensation for all of the injuries and damages you suffered in a car accident. We will help you hold a driver responsible for distracted driving and other actions that put you at risk. Contact an Appleton car accident lawyer by calling 920-739-7366 to arrange your free consultation.
Sources:
https://www.nsc.org/pages/ddam/ddam-materials
https://ohsonline.com/articles/2021/04/05/april-is-distracted-driving-awareness-month.aspx
https://www.nhtsa.gov/distracted-driving/april-distracted-driving-awareness-month