Alarming Facts About Distracted Driving
Brian O Sutter
Traffic Accidents
Ask most people what the biggest risk on roads are - what the one action that can be taken which will put people at risk is - and a majority of people will likely respond with drunk driving. There's a good reason for that - over the last few decades, drunk drivers have caused millions of accidents and millions of fatalities. But these days, there's another risk that is every bit as dangerous as drunk driving and in some cases even riskier due to its prevalence. That risk? Distracted driving. As mobile phones, mp3 players, and even dashboard 'smart centers' that handle things like GPS have become more and more commonplace, the number of people who use those devices while driving has skyrocketed. And along with those climbing numbers is a steady increase in accidents and injuries related to them.
It surprises some people to learn that just answer a phone call while driving can be just as dangerous as drunk driving, but if you take a few minutes to look at some of the statistics you'll see that it's a very real risk. Just consider the following stats.
- Based on recent data, 16 percent of all police reported motor vehicle accidents were related to distractions.
- 18 percent of all injury-causing accidents were related to distracted driving.
- 10 percent of all fatal crashes occurring in the us were distracted related.
- More than 3,000 people each year are killed in a crash caused by a distracted driver.
- Roughly 424,000 people are injured in accidents due to a distraction every year.
- Of the distracted driving accidents that occur, about 78% of them are caused by texting while driving.
So what does this mean for you, exactly? The obvious point is that you should avoid using smartphones and other devices while driving. But while you can take steps to keep yourself safe, you have no control over others who are on the roads.
If you are unfortunate enough to be injured in an accident and suspect that it was caused by the other party's use of a mobile phone or another device, you may have the legal grounds to seek compensation for your injuries. This is because distracted driving can be considered to be a kind of recklessness or negligence.
Under Florida law, negligent actions that lead to injuries can be held liable. In other words, those who act in a reckless manner can be held responsible for your injuries and thus be made to pay compensation. This helps those injured take steps to recover fully, without having to shoulder the financial burden of their injuries on their own.
Proving that the other party acted negligently or recklessly isn't always easy to do. A personal injury attorney will take on your auto accident case and review it to determine your options. From there, steps may be taken to prove that the other motorist was distracted. This often involves pulling mobile phone records and reviewing police accident reports. From there, they can determine the next steps to take on your behalf.
Being injured in an accident of any kind can be difficult, but when your injuries were caused because of a distracted driver you shouldn't have to pay for your financial costs. Our team can help get you the compensation that you are owed and help you make a total recovery - financially as well as physically.
If you've been involved in an auto accident, contact our legal team today to set up a free initial consultation. It could be the first step towards moving on from your injuries and getting your life back on track.