Cell Phone Distractions Cause Countless Accidents
Posted in Accident & Injury on October 11, 2013
As a driver, you must be fully aware at all times in order to avoid accidents and stay out of harm’s way. Distracted driving can cause an accident anywhere — whether you are cruising on the highway or just driving around town.
Drivers can be distracted in a myriad of ways, such as fiddling with the radio, reading a map, eating, grooming and of course, texting on a cell phone. Cell phones have become an increasingly common distraction; with some estimates as high as a thousand deaths per year from cell phone related car accidents.
It is every driver’s responsibility to take steps to ensure the safety of not only themselves, but also passing motorists and pedestrians. Most accidents occur because of someone’s negligence or from a momentary lapse in judgment. In 2011 alone, over 3000 Americans were killed in distracted driving crashes and cell phone usage is a huge part of this issue.
There are three main types of distractions:
- Manual – taking your hands off of the wheel
- Visual – taking your eyes off the road
- Cognitive – taking your mind off driving
All distractions endanger driver, passenger, and bystander safety, but because text messaging requires visual, manual, and cognitive attention from the driver, it is by far the most dangerous distraction.
Insurance companies are paying close attention to the link between cell phone use and car accidents and many auto insurance websites warn of the dangers of distracted driving. If you are at fault for a car accident caused by cell phone use, or are ticketed for talking while driving, you’re likely to see your insurance premium rise. The best way to avoid a higher premium is to avoid an accident — and potential driver distractions — altogether.
Although Ohio has implemented laws banning texting while driving, accidents due to distracted driving still occur. In cell phone lawsuits, records from cell phone carriers help us determine whether cell phone usage caused the accident. Was the person texting or making a phone call? Was the phone engaged in some other type of activity like using the internet or its GPS function? It takes an experienced Ohio accident attorney to answer these questions and help you recover if someone else’s negligence has caused you harm.
Driving while texting or talking on a cell phone is dangerous. There is nothing that can’t wait until you’re safely pulled over. Please do not allow a cell phone to be a distraction, possibly causing you or others serious pain and harm.
To learn more about personal injury law, I encourage you to watch the video above, explore this blog and visit our educational website at elkandelk.com. If you have legal questions, please call us at 1-800-ELK-OHIO. I welcome your call.