Common Causes of Distracted Driving Accidents
The pattern in car accident causation that has occurred over the last few years is evident. With lifestyles that are much faster paced than they were in the past, as well as the amazing increase in new communication technologies, it is no wonder that car accidents, truck accidents, and other motor vehicle accidents occur as a result.
Some of the most common causes of distracted driving accidents include:
- Cell Phone Use and Texting
- Interacting with Passengers
- Eating and Drinking
- Adjusting In-Car Technology
- Reaching for Objects
- External Distractions
- Personal Grooming
Being on the phone or sending a text message is no excuse for causing an accident. If a careless driver causes injuries to another driver because of distractions like cell phones, the responsible driver should be held liable for the injuries or wrongful death that resulted from the accident.
Texting While Driving Accidents
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, handheld devices are so distracting that those drivers are two to six times as likely to be involved in an injury crash. A study by the University of Utah revealed that texting while driving reduces reaction times the same as if the driver had a blood-alcohol level of .08 (legally drunk). The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute revealed that a texting driver looks away from the road for an average of five seconds, long enough to travel 100 yards at highway speed.
Teenagers have the highest rates of cellphone use and texting. An inexperienced driver whose attention is diverted by text messages is a recipe for disaster. However, texting while driving is a bad habit for many adults who should know better.
Is Texting or Talking on a Cellphone Illegal?
In 2011, house bill 31 was proposed to ban the entire usage of mobile phones while driving but was defeated in the Legislature. However, North Carolina statute N.C.G.S. § 20-137.4A outlaws the following conduct while driving:
- Text messaging, e-mail, or Internet use by any drivers
- Cellphone use by under-18 drivers on a provisional license
- Commercial truck and bus drivers must follow strict federal regulations, which mandate hands-free-only device usage
Contact Us to Schedule a Free Distracted Driving Claim Consultation
If you have been injured in an accident, or if you have lost a loved one in a fatal car accident, you can talk with one of our lawyers free of charge to learn about your options for compensation. Contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation with one of our lawyers.
