Most of our communication happens on a cell phone and it’s how people get a hold of you. It’s typical for people to always have their phones on them. When they bring their phones into the car, they might be tempted to immediately respond to any text they get. When this happens, they risk the safety of themselves and others on the road.
This probably isn’t the first time you’ve heard about the dangers of texting and driving. But for all the commercials and attention this behavior gets, texting and driving still happens. Texting and driving isn’t a skill and it’s not something you can get good at. This choice causes fatal car accidents that could have been preventable if the driver hadn’t looked at their phone.
Dealing with a car accident is emotionally taxing and confusing. You need a car accident lawyer with experience and compassion who will answer your questions, address your concerns, and figure out the strongest way to present your case. The law offices of Todd W Burris can help. We know how car accidents can upend someone’s life and cause turmoil. We’ll give your case the attention it deserves and make it as strong as possible.
How Has Texting and Driving Affected Drivers in the Past?
Texting and driving has been a concern for a long time. Organizations created ways to get a better idea of who is texting and driving. Police reports used to depend on first-hand accounts from the people involved in the accident. If they didn’t want to admit their accident happened because they were on the phone, then they could lie to the police and the data wouldn’t be accurate.
The Annual Estimate of Cell Phone Crashes model was created by the National Safety Council (NSC) to get accurate data on cell phones as factors in car accidents.
- In 2013, about 20% of crashes, or 1.1 million, had talking on cell phones as a factor.
- The NSC model adds about 6% of crashes, or 341,000, involved texting.
The Kentucky State Police Traffic Collisions Facts 2016 Report states that people using their cell phones caused 1,146 car collisions and eight fatalities that year.
How Does Texting Affect Your Driving?
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) lists three ways of distracted driving: Visual, manual, and cognitive. Texting hits all these points. When you answer a text, you take your eyes off the road, one hand is off the wheel, and you’re no longer focused on driving. It’s the ultimate distraction.
The CDC also reports that students who choose to text and drive are more likely to adopt other risky driving behaviors:
- Not Wearing a Seatbelt.
- Riding With a Drunk Driver.
- Drinking and Driving.
These poor snap decisions take seconds to make and can end with someone losing their life. Texting and driving will never be a safe choice.
Do You Need a Lexington Car Accident Lawyer?
Have you or a loved one been in a car accident? You have the right to seek legal action. Todd. W. Burris will go above and beyond to fight for your rights.
Don’t waste any more time. Call us at (859) 252-2222 and we can discuss your options and what your best course of action.
