As mobile devices have become more popular, people in Tennessee and across the nation are increasingly using them while operating motor vehicles. According to a guide from the Federal Communications Commission, however, texting and driving has a substantial and negative effect on the safety of individuals engaging in these activities as well as their passengers and others on or near the road.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2010, 18 percent of all fatal crashes were due to driver distraction, accounting for more than 3,000 deaths and over 400,000 injuries. Information from the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute states that texting while driving puts someone at a 23-times-greater risk of getting into a crash than a non-distracted driver.
In an effort to reduce the numbers of deaths and injuries that are a result of using mobile devices while on the road, the FCC Distracted Driving Information Clearinghouse has been created. People are also urged to make teens and young drivers aware of the risks involved with texting behind the wheel, and parents are called upon to set a good example by not using a mobile device while on the road. Instead of taking a call or responding to a text, it is recommended that individuals pull over to avoid the increased risk of a collision.
If someone has been in an automobile accident, whatever the cause, he or she may end up facing a variety of expenses, including vehicle repairs, medical bills and car rental costs. An insurance company may want to settle the case quickly, and for the lowest amount possible, which could result in someone having to pay for some of these expenses out-of-pocket. A lawyer could help a car accident victim seek equitable compensation through a personal injury claim by presenting a strong case and advising the plaintiff on when to settle.
Source: Federal Communications Commission, “The Dangers of Texting While Driving“, September 21, 2014