Car accidents as a result of distracted driving can often result in bodily injury, death, and property damage. Distracted driving is any activity that diverts a driver’s attention from the primary task of driving a vehicle. In 2013, 3,154 people died in auto accidents linked to a driver who was distracted.
This represents an almost seven percent increase from the number reported in 2012. There were an additional 424,000 people injured by drivers who were distracted.
If you were injured in an accident and you believe distracted driving was the cause, you need an experienced attorney on your side to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Our Auto accident attorneys serving the Tri-State Area advocate awareness of the statistics and understand the need for justice when victimized in this situation.
Examples of Distracted Driving
There are many things that can distract a driver from the primary task of driving.
There have been reports of personal injury because a driver was talking to other passengers or adjusting the radio, iPod or CD player. There have been reports of accidents occurring when the driver was putting on makeup, combing their hair or even shaving. Navigation systems and maps can also distract drivers, leading to accidents.
However, one of the most common reasons for accidents involving a driver who was distracted was using a mobile phone to talk to someone or to text while behind the wheel of the car.
Texting and Driving Accident Statistics
In Pennsylvania, more than 3,000 people were killed in crashes involving a driver who was distracted and 387,000 were injured in 2011. In Delaware, almost 150 crashes were blamed on a distracted driver while more than 3,000 people were killed by driver distraction in New Jersey.
In many of these crashes, drivers were texting while driving, despite the fact that all three states have passed legislation banning text messaging while driving. Fines for texting while driving can be significant, as much as $400 in New Jersey, up to $200 in Delaware and up to $50 per offense in Pennsylvania.
Even with penalties imposed, young drivers, especially teenagers, are still texting and driving, leading to significant personal injury due to auto accidents.
Damages Caused by Distracted Drivers
Throughout the United States, drivers who are distracted cost as much as $175 billion per year, with economic losses of $46 billion and harm to society of $129 billion. Harm to society includes loss of productivity, legal and court costs, the cost of emergency services and insurance administration costs.
Unfortunately, accidents caused when a driver is distracted are often underreported.
Few people freely admit that they were not paying attention to the road after an accident and even fewer will admit to police that they were texting or talking on the phone. This means that the actual damages may be even higher.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident where someone was texting and driving or distracted in another way, or if a loved one has died from injuries sustained in an auto accident where the driver was determined to be distracted, you need to speak to a personal injury lawyer.
Whether you are in Pennsylvania, New Jersey or Delaware, contact Lundy Law today through their simple online form or by calling 1-800-Lundy Law to see how they can help you get the compensation you deserve.
