The Safety Risks of Texting and Driving
Texting while driving may be looked upon years in the future as the new “drunk driving” of our era. So many people mistakenly view texting as an option when they are behind the wheel of a vehicle. This mindset needs to be changed because we are losing so many people each year to deadly texting and driving accidents. Take, for example, the tragic death of a 25-year-old man who lost his life while texting and operating a 2004 Ford Explorer. This young man was traveling on U.S. 1 near Southwest 37th Avenue when he lost control of the Explorer, hit two palm trees, then the center median and eventually flipped on top of another car, according to the Miami Herald. No text is worth enduring that much pain and trauma.
Texting and driving has become one of the leading causes of accidents in the United States. This is even more prevalent among teens and young adults. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2011, 3,381 people died in accidents related to distracted driving while an additional 387,000 sustained injuries.
According to a study from the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, texting and driving distracts you from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds. If you are driving at a speed of 55 miles per hour, that is equivalent to driving the entire length of a football field blindfolded.
According to an AT&T Teen Driver Survey, 97 percent of teens know that texting and driving is dangerous, yet 43 percent of those surveyed still engage in texting and driving.
Legal Consequences of Texting and Driving
As of 2012, 10 states and the District of Columbia place a ban on talking on cell phones while driving. In 37 other states, there is a ban on texting and driving. In Florida, texting and driving can cost you fines for first and second offenses.
In states like Nebraska and Virginia, there has to be some other reason before a police officer can pull you over for distracted driving.
Due to the fact that a majority of texting and driving accidents occur with teens, most states ban minors from using cell phones in any capacity while they are driving. The penalties also vary. For example, in Kentucky, there are fines for distracted driving while states like Massachusetts fine the driver and revoke driving licenses on the first offense.
Taking Legal Action When Hit by a Texting Driver
If you or a family member was seriously injured by a motorist who was found to be texting and driving, you should take legal action by contacting an experienced Miami car accident lawyer. You may be able to obtain financial restitution for the harms and losses you suffered in the collision, including your medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Schedule an In-Person Meeting with a Tampa Car Accident Attorney
If you or a family member was seriously injured in a collision with a texting motorist, contact the Tampa auto accident lawyers at the Pendas Law Firm today. We offer free, confidential consultations. The law firm represents individuals throughout the Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Orlando, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Daytona Beach and Bradenton areas.
Resource:
miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/coconut-grove/article89560182.html
