More than 95 percent of American adults own cell phones. After hearing about the dangers of driving and using cell phones, 94 percent of drivers support a ban on texting while driving.
But do they really? You must wonder after reviewing the following information from the National Safety Council:
- Driving and cell phone use (texting, emailing, talking, etc.) leads to 1.6 million crashes every year.
- About 390,000 injuries occur every year from accidents caused by texting and driving.
- Answering a text takes, on average, about five seconds. At 55 miles per hour, that’s enough time to travel the length of a football field – without looking at the road.
While perhaps the most common example of distracted driving, texting is not the only culprit. Other distractions include adjusting the GPS, talking to other passengers, dealing with small children or pets, changing radio stations or climate controls, eating and drinking, and applying makeup/grooming.
All told, on average about 8 people die every day in accidents involving a distracted driver.
If you’ve been a victim of such an accident, perhaps you should consider yourself fortunate to still be among the living?
In general, who suffers the most severe injuries in distracted driving accidents?
Bicyclists and pedestrians suffer the most since they have little protection when confronted by an automobile.
What options do victims of distracted driving have if they are not being fairly compensated?
If you or a loved one have suffered injuries at the hands of a distracted driver and at no fault of your own, you should consider hiring a distracted driving accident attorney.
Aren’t lawyers too expensive?
Since most accident attorneys operate on a contingency basis – where they only get paid if you win your case – they are likely to give you an honest, objective opinion.
How can a lawyer help me?
They can communicate with the distracted driver’s insurance company. Data shows that insurers make larger settlement offers to victims who have hired an attorney than to those who don’t.
They can compile the evidence needed to prove the driver’s negligence.
They can work with your medical providers to ensure all your expenses have been recorded and included in your list of expenses.
They can use their knowledge of the legal process to your advantage. Their negotiating skills and familiarity with lawyers and local judges can often bring about a successful resolution to your case.
Victims of distracted driving accidents have many options, as an attorney, like a distracted driving accident lawyer from a firm like Patterson Bray, can explain.