Texting and Driving Accident Lawyer
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over nine percent of all fatal car accidents in the U.S. have involved a distracted driver in the past seven years. An estimated 2,841 people were killed in distracted driving crashes in 2018 alone. Now that many drivers are glued to smartphones, texting and driving have become one of the most common types of distracted driving, leading to serious accidents and injuries every day.
If you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle crash involving a driver who was texting, contact William Mattar today. Our experienced accident attorneys handle all types of distracted driving cases, and we will fight for you to get the compensation you deserve. Call us today at (844) 444-4444.
Texting and Distracted Driving
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are three main types of distraction while driving: visual, manual, and cognitive. Visual distraction occurs when a person takes their eyes off the road, whereas manual distraction occurs when a person takes their hands off the wheel. On the other hand, cognitive distraction involves taking your mind off of the act of driving.
There are different types of distracted driving, including eating while behind the wheel, talking to a passenger, to messing with the dashboard. However, texting is one of the most dangerous types as it combines all three forms of distraction. The CDC says that in the time it takes to send or read a text, a person takes their eyes off the road for roughly 5 seconds, when, going 55 mph, is long enough to cover the length of an entire football field.
Teenagers are particularly at risk for distracted driving, including texting and driving. Motorists under the age of 20 make up the highest percentage of distraction-related traffic fatalities. According to the CDC, nine percent of all teen motor vehicle accident fatalities involved some form of distracted driving. Even more troubling—in a 2017 study conducted by the CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, an estimated 42 percent of high school students who drove in the past 30 days reported sending a text or email while driving.
Laws on Cell Phone Use in New York State
It is illegal in New York State to use a handheld telephone or portable electronic device while driving. According to the NY Department of Motor Vehicles, this illegal activity can include talking on a handheld phone and “composing, sending, reading, accessing, browsing, transmitting, saving, or retrieving electronic data,” including text messages and emails. Viewing and taking photos or playing games using your phone can also get you a traffic ticket. While driving, cell phone use can result in a monetary fine (ranging from $50 – $450, depending on the offense), points added to your DMV driving record, and license suspension.
To combat the issue of texting and driving, New York established “Texting Zones” along the New York State Thruway and State Highways, which give drivers an area to pull over and use their phones. The Texting Zones are intended to encourage motorists to avoid answering a call, text, or email while driving.
Proving Liability in a Distracted Driving Accident Case
Proving liability in a distracted driving case is important for recovering financial compensation for any injuries you may have sustained. The driver whose negligence caused your collision may be responsible for paying damages due to negligence. Evidence, such as cell phone records, may help establish whether the at-fault driver was texting or otherwise using their phone at the time of the car accident.
An experienced accident attorney at William Mattar can help prove liability by investigating your case details and holding the at-fault driver accountable.
Compensation for a Texting and Driving Accident
If you have been seriously injured in a crash with a texting driver, you may be entitled to compensation. Accident injuries can disrupt an individual’s life and make everyday tasks feel impossible. They can put a financial, physical, and even emotional burden on an injury victim that is difficult to face alone. Our personal injury attorneys fight on behalf of these injury victims to get them the best result possible.
Some common types of compensation for victims of a distracted driving crash include:
- Medical expenses, including future medical care;
- Lost wages or lost profits;
- Physical rehabilitation costs, such as physical therapy;
- Pain and suffering;
- Emotional anguish; and
- Overall diminished quality of life.
Contact a Distracted Driving Accident Attorney Today
Those who have been injured in a distracted driving crash can turn to William Mattar law offices for help. Our experienced distracted driving accident attorneys have the knowledge and experience to stand up for you and your rights. To schedule a free initial consultation, fill out our free online consultation form, or call us today at (844) 444-4444.
