According to the National Safety Council, texting and driving causes approximately 300,000 to 700,000 auto accidents a year. Although it may seem harmless at the time, diverting your eyes from the road to answer a text, change a song, or read an email puts you and every driver on the road at risk of an accident.
If you cause an auto accident by texting and driving, you will be responsible for any injuries and damages. Today, an auto accident lawyer discusses how texting and driving affects an auto accident case.
The Dangers of Texting and Driving
Texting and driving is considered “distracted driving,” driving without paying attention to the road. Distracted driving includes activities like playing with the radio, reaching into your glove box or backseat, or putting on makeup when driving.
Texting and driving is one of the most dangerous distracted driving activities. In fact, many studies prove it is just as dangerous as drunk driving (if not more dangerous), causing one out of every four car accidents in the United States.
For young people, texting and driving is particularly a problem, causing nearly 21% of all fatal crashes amongst teenagers. Due to the dangers of texting and driving, many insurance companies and lawmakers have taken measures to stop it.
Texting and Driving in an Auto Accident Case
If you are in a car accident caused by someone texting and driving, the person who was texting will be at fault for the accident and responsible for covering the cost of damages and injuries. In some states, texting and driving is illegal, so the police may become involved in the auto accident case.
Because proving someone was texting and driving at the time of your accident can be difficult, consult with an auto accident lawyer. By hiring an auto accident lawyer, you can build a case by obtaining police reports, witness statements, and even phone records.
Preventative Measures
Auto accidents caused by texting and driving are unfortunate because they are easily preventable. Simply put down your phone while driving and focus on the road. To prevent yourself from looking at your phone, put it on silent and place it in the backseat where you cannot reach it.
If you listen to music on your phone, set playlists before driving to prevent yourself from changing the song. Additionally, if your car has Bluetooth capabilities, utilize hands-free features.
Contact an Auto Accident Attorney
If you were recently involved in a car accident caused by someone texting and driving, contact an auto accident attorney at Tolbert Beadle, LLC. By working with an auto accident attorney, you can gather the proper evidence to find the driver at fault. To set up a consultation, contact Tolbert Beadle, LCC today!
