Over the past few years, cell phones have gone from being a cool accessory to being an absolute necessity. We use them to text friends, contact coworkers, plan our day, enjoy social media, navigate to new places, and much more. Consequently, our use of our cellphones has extended into our vehicles and can cost a number of drivers and innocent people their lives.
Studies have shown that 26% of the nation’s car accidents are caused by driver using their cell phones. The sad reality is that these accidents rarely affect the distracted driver alone. Surrounding pedestrians, bicyclists, and other drivers are often severely injured or killed in their encounters with drivers on their cell phones.
If you or a loved one have been injured in an encounter with a distracted driver, our personal injury attorneys can help find compensation for your losses.
The Risk
Despite the growing number of commercials warning against texting and driving, only 5% of documented cellphone crashes are due to drivers texting. The reality is that most cellphone related crashes occur while drivers are talking on their handheld and hands-free cellphones.
To help regulate the use of cell phones in vehicles and protect innocent people from being involved in horrible accidents, Washington law has banned the use of hand-held cellphones while driving. Despite these efforts, a number of drivers have continued to use their phones on the road, endangering their own lives and harming the lives of those around them.
Preventing Distracted Driving
There are several steps you can take to encourage your friends and family members to avoid talking on their phones and texting while they drive:
- No Exceptions: No matter what you’re doing, no matter who you’re with, or where you’re going, don’t text or call when you drive. Pull off to the side of the road to respond or wait until you’ve finished driving.
- Help a Friend: If a friend or family member is on their phone, ask if you can complete the task for them. Take the phone away and talk or text for them so that they can focus on driving.
- Organize: Before leaving your driveway, be sure that your vehicle is properly organized for your trip: GPS is out, luggage secured, mirrors set, and cell phone off. Avoid making distracting adjustments while you’re on the road.
Injured in a Car Accident With a Distracted Driver
Because drivers are distracted by an oral or text conversation on their phone, they have no time to respond appropriately to dangerous situations. These conditions often result in very serious, painful, and even fatal collisions. Unfortunately, they happen far more often than people think. While not every accident with a distracted driver results in collateral damage, other innocent people are often injured by these mistakes.
If you or a loved one have been injured by a distracted driver, you have the right to pursue compensation for your injuries and pain. With the help of a car injury attorney, you can file a claim describing the damages inflicted against you by the distracted driver and determine a sum that you should be compensated for.
Russell & Hill Personal Injury Attorneys
At Russell and Hill, PLLC, our attorneys understand the physical and emotional pain of being victimized by a distracted driver. Our training in personal injury law equips us to help victims and their families to properly interact with insurance agents, collect evidence, meet with doctors, and file a claim. We are even willing to take your claim to court to ensure that you get the financial compensation you rightfully deserve.
The road to recovery may be long, but one thing is for certain: you can start that journey today with the help of a car injury attorney. For more information about our personal injury services, contact us today by giving us a call or fill out our contact form.