People who have been involved in an auto accident and were a victim of a distracted driver should turn to experienced auto accident lawyers in Virginia Beach, VA who can assist them in getting the compensation they deserve. It is no secret that with the rise of cell phone use, more and more people are being injured or killed as a result of distracted driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates that distracted drivers are the leading cause of fatalities on roads in the United States. Clearly, cell phones top the list of dangerous distractions. Here are some of the facts around texting and driving as well as cell phone use in general while in a vehicle.
Cell Phone Use & Texting
The National Safety Council reports that cell phone usage while driving leads to 1.6 million auto accidents per year. Nearly 390,000 injuries result each year from accidents caused by texting while behind the wheel. 1 out of every 4 car accidents in the United States is caused by texting and driving.
Injuries and Deaths
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each day in the U.S., approximately 9 people are killed and more than 1,000 are injured in accidents that are reported to have involved a distracted driver. This includes texting, putting on makeup, eating, or anything that takes a person’s attention away from driving. Clearly, distracted driving increases the chance of a motor vehicle accident.
Current Bans
Currently, 47 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands ban text massaging for all drivers. Keep in mind that in Virginia, anyone under 18 years of age is banned from using a cell phone or any other personal communication device while driving. Texting is banned for all drivers and is considered a primary offense. So, if the police suspect a person is texting while driving they can pull them over.
How Dangerous Is It?
There are several studies that suggest that driving while texting may be just as dangerous as driving while under the influence. For some people, it could be more dangerous.
In a situation where you or a loved one has been injured by a distracted driver, don’t try to reach a car accident settlement alone. Contact auto accident lawyers in Virginia Beach, VA as soon as possible. Count on Price Perkins Larkin to provide aggressive auto accident injury representation. For additional information visit website.
