The National Safety Council (NSC) found that distraction is a top factor in fatal car accidents and that includes texting, talking, eating, drinking, grooming, adjusting the radio, etc. Each year over 3,000 people are killed and over 400,000 are injured in cellphone-related car accidents. Drivers who are distracted by their cellphones are 4 times more likely of being in a car accident than those who are not. Our San Diego car accident lawyers can help you hold accountable a distracted driver who hit you.
The biggest issue with using any type of cellphone use while driving is that it increases reaction time. A study conducted at the Texas A&M Transportation Institute found that driver response times were significantly delayed when texting either manually or with voice-activated texting when compared to drivers not using a cellphone. Five seconds is the typical time drivers take their eyes off the road while texting, this is equivalent to the length of a football field when traveling 55 mph.
Dialing a phone is actually the most dangerous task, followed by reading or writing. A recent study by State Farm found that among drivers age 18-29, almost half accessed the Internet, one-third read social media and over 40% checked their email while driving. But because text messaging requires visual, manual, and cognitive attention from the driver, it is one of the worst.
Even though hands-free devices aren’t safer than hand held cellphones, most states still allow drivers to use this type of cellphone. In fact, 80% of American drivers think that hands-free systems are safe, especially since so many auto manufacturers now include these types of systems in their cars. Still, the NSC found that voice-to-text is actually more distracting than typing texts by hand.
Driving and cell phone conversations both require a great deal of concentration. When trying to do them concurrently, your brain can’t do either one very well. For example, it’s nearly impossible to read a book and have a phone conversation at the same time. In order to be safe, you need your eyes on the road, your hands on the wheel, and your mind on driving.
To prevent cellphone-related car accidents, states now limit or prohibit cellphone use while driving and the majority of the country has banned text messaging for all drivers. A study conducted by UC Berkeley of California’s law prohibiting drivers from using handheld cellphones showed that two years after the law was enacted, traffic fatalities fell 22%.
If you or a loved one has been in a cellphone-related car accident in the San Diego area, Walton Law Firm can help. Our lawyers can assist you in reaching a settlement with the other party’s insurance company to settle your claim or if required, we can represent you in a lawsuit. You are entitled to financial compensation for your medical expenses, car damage, lost wages, pain, suffering and inconvenience.
Our attorneys have successfully represented individuals and families who have been victims of all types of car accidents in and around San Diego, including those related to cell phone use, for more than 15 years. We would be happy to provide a free consultation with a lawyer to discuss your accident, and will provide an honest appraisal of your case, and let you know if you even need a lawyer. Or, if you prefer, you can submit a confidential question online. You can reach us at 866-607-1325 or locally in North San Diego County at 760-571-5500.