Think texting and driving is harmless? Think again. Tolbert Beadle explains.

Texting and driving – we all know that we shouldn’t do it, and we all know there are very real dangers that come with it. And yet, many of us still can’t put the phone down. That’s why we at Tolbert Beadle have taken the time to better explain how dangerous it is, as well as offer some other notable information on the subject.

Facts and Statistics

When driving, perhaps nothing is more dangerous than texting and driving. According to the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, people who drive while texting (sending or receiving a message) are 23 percent more likely to be involved in a crash than those who are not texting and driving. To better illustrate that sentiment, we’ve listed a few facts below.

• A study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute showed that people who text and drive will take their eyes off the road for an average of 5 seconds. That means that if you’re traveling at a speed of 55 mph, you will have driven the length of a football field before your eyes return to the road.
• According to the same study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, texting while driving is six times more likely to cause an auto crash than driving when intoxicated.

Laws Against Texting and Driving

Almost all states prohibit drivers from texting and driving. In fact, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association, 46 states plus Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands all  have bans on texting and driving in some way, shape, or form. In most states these bans are primary enforcement laws, too, which means that police officers are able to cite a driver who texts and drives without the infraction of another driving violation.

Steps to Take After an Accident

If you’ve been hit by a driver who was texting and driving, there are certain actions you should take to both ensure your safety and preserve any evidence that would aid your personal injury claim. We at Tolbert Beadle discuss these steps below.

See a Doctor

Above all else, take care of your health. This means that you should see a doctor after an accident, even if you don’t suspect any injury. A doctor will be able to assess any minor or major injuries, and track them in case they worsen. Furthermore, it will also provide you with documentation for your injuries in the case that you want to pursue a personal injury claim. (If that’s the route you intend to take, contact a personal injury lawyer at Tolbert Beadle.)

Document

Document everything that took place immediately before, during and after the accident. Were you sitting at a stop sign? Maybe you were pulling into a parking lot? Whatever it was, document it. Additionally, if there were any witnesses get their names and contact information. This will be extremely important to a law firm should you decide to pursue a personal injury claim.

Tolbert Beadle Texting and Driving Overview

As a driver you have a responsibility to both yourself and other drivers on the road. Don’t put anyone in unnecessary danger by texting and driving. Whatever the message, it can wait. We at Tolbert Beadle can attest to this.
If you’ve been involved in or have been injured in a texting and driving accident, contact an expert auto accident lawyer or personal injury lawyers at Tolbert Beadle. Our attorneys are ready to take your case.