How Texting While Driving Causes Car Accidents
Motorists must exercise caution while driving for the safety of themselves, any passengers in their cars, other drivers and passengers, and pedestrians. It would be great if every driver took their duty seriously, but unfortunately, some motorists make poor decisions that can be dangerous for everyone else.
Cell phone use, especially texting, is a major distraction for drivers. Texting and driving can lead to serious car accidents and injuries.
Is Texting Distracting?
Yes, texting while driving is a distraction. According to the National Highway & Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving was the cause of more than 3,000 car accident fatalities in 2020. Anything that takes a driver’s eyes off the road, where they should be focused, creates a considerable risk of causing an accident and harm to the driver and others.
The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute conducted driving studies to research risky driving behaviors. In one study, they found that, out of all cell phone use, texting had the highest risk of leading to an auto accident. Additionally, the risk of a collision to drivers of heavier vehicles who texted while driving was 23.2 times as high as motorists who drive without being distracted.
When a driver reads or sends a text, it takes their attention and eyes away from the road for about five seconds. While it may seem like a minimal amount of time, a lot can happen in five seconds. In just five seconds, you could travel 100 yards, or nearly the length of a football field, if you’re driving at a moderate speed.
Additionally, the diversion of a driver’s attention from the road to their phone has effects that are similar to driving while intoxicated. Research shows that motorists who are texting while driving were delayed in their braking, while intoxicated motorists were aggressive with their braking. A study concluded that texting and driving could be just as dangerous as intoxicated driving. If you have pressing questions about your case, don’t hesitate to contact our legal team today.
Motorists don’t just risk causing a serious car accident and injury to others when they’re texting while the car is moving. It’s also dangerous for drivers to text while they’re not actively operating their vehicles. It may seem harmless, but texting while stopped at a red light encourages further distraction while actively driving. In the 2015 “National Survey on Distracted Driving Attitudes and Behaviors,” the NHTSA states that roughly 36 percent of motorists use their phones while they’re stopped at a light or stop sign, and of that 36 percent, almost all of them continue using their phones when they start actively driving again.
Texting and driving is such a danger and has been such a frequent cause of serious car accidents that there are laws in almost every state prohibiting motorists from doing so. For example, in South Carolina, if a law enforcement officer suspects that you’re texting and driving, they can pull you over and issue you a ticket for which you’ll pay a $25 fine.
What to Do if a Texting Driver Caused Your Accident-Related Injuries
If you’ve been injured in a car accident that was someone else’s fault, you need to get medical attention right away. Car accident injuries can be severe, and the fate of your health, life, and ability to recover could depend upon immediate medical care. The medical care you receive for your injuries will also serve as crucial evidence in your personal injury claim and, if necessary, your personal injury lawsuit.
When you file a personal injury claim, you need to provide evidence of your injuries. The medical care you received will be documented in your medical record. Your medical record will serve as proof of your injuries, the extent of your injuries, and the financial costs associated with your care. It’s also helpful to maintain any medical documentation, including bills, you receive in case you need to use them in your claim or lawsuit.
As soon as you can, hire a personal injury attorney. There are several steps that you should and shouldn’t take leading up to filing your personal injury claim or lawsuit. An experienced car accident attorney will be able to help you navigate this process and make sure that you’re taking the proper steps to have a strong, valid case so you can obtain the compensation you deserve.
Contact the Law Office of William J. Luse, Inc. Accident & Injury Lawyers to Help
The Law Office of William J. Luse, Inc. Accident & Injury Lawyers can help you seek compensation if you’ve been seriously injured in a car accident that wasn’t your fault. Call our Myrtle Beach car accident attorneys today at (843) 839-4795 to schedule a confidential consultation.
