Smartphones have been popular for the last few decades. Some people will tell you these cell phones have allowed us to keep in touch with people we otherwise would not have via social media and that the devices let parents keep tabs on their children. Others will tell you that technology is evil and destroying society. One thing that is for sure, is that driving while texting is dangerous and distracted driving accidents have increased since the introduction of the smartphone. There are a few risks you should be aware of before you decide to go for texting and driving at the same time.
Taking Your Eyes Off the Road is a Danger
Texting and posting on social media causes more accidents than drunk driving. This is thought to happen because even when a person is drunk, their eyes are on the road. When a person responds to a text message, they take their eyes off the road for a few seconds. Although it is also very dangerous to post on social media, texting causes more accidents than anything.
Text conversations may be longer and seem more urgent. Texting back in a timely fashion is considered part of proper etiquette in certain social and business situations. People may feel pressure to text back right away, even if it is not safe to do so.
In 2018, texting and driving caused 400,000 injuries. As a result of the high rate of text message-related accidents, 48 states banned text messaging as of 2020. However, talking on a cell phone while driving is only illegal in 24 states.
Teens are at a Higher Risk
Young adults are most at risk when it comes to texting-related accidents. This may have to do with their levels of maturity, but it also may have to do with the fact that they simply have less experience than their older counterparts. Teens are four times more likely to get into a texting-related accident than adult drivers.
When polled, 39% of teenagers admitted that they had texted while driving even though they know it’s dangerous. Peer pressure might factor into why teenagers have so many blunders. A young person is more likely to get into a car accident when they have a passenger in the car.
You May End Up Being Fined, TIcketed or Even Jailed
Stricter laws mean stricter punishment. In California, a first-time ticket for cell phone use while driving is $20; the second time you do it, you will be fined $50. As of July 2021, you will also receive a point on your driver’s license.
According to kirakosianlaw.com, if you have an accident when you are texting, talking, or posting on social media, it can be used against you in court. A judge may award a plaintiff punitive damages if texting was involved in a personal injury lawsuit. A judge may also be harder on a defendant if they are caught texting and driving if criminal charges are involved in a collision.
Some states have started imprisoning people for causing an accident while texting. A person may be brought up on manslaughter charges if they hit someone while on their phone.
What to Do if You are Hit By a Distracted Driver
If you are in an accident, you should pull over to the side of the road and see if anyone is injured. Ask any witnesses if they noticed if the other driver was on their phone. Look in the front of the car that hit you and If you see a cell phone sitting there, take a picture of it.
Be sure to contact a professional personal injury attorney. They will be well-versed in negotiating with insurance companies, and they will know all of the new laws pertaining to texting and driving. A lawyer can get you the compensation you deserve.