Driving While Texting or Talking on the Cell Phone Can Be Disastrous
Driving while talking on the cell phone or worse, texting, has become one of the leading causes for car accidents in Seattle and elsewhere in Washington State. Talking on a handheld device or texting can be extremely dangerous because the driver must take his or her eyes or attention off the road for several seconds while completing those actions. Rear-end accidents are caused quite often as a result of drivers attempting to talk on their cell phones or text while on the road.
A study recently conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, found that texting while driving increases the risk of a car accident by 23 times. The results of this study show conclusively that the real key to significantly improving safety on the road is keeping your eyes on the road. The same report also states that just before crashing, drivers spent nearly five seconds distracted from the road by their cell phones. At 55 mph, that time is enough to cover the length of an entire football field. It’s about time that the cell phone and texting laws are enacted in all states to deter distracted drivers.
The skilled car accident attorneys at the Bernard Law Group recently settled a case where a woman was rear-ended by a person who was talking on her cell phone. The victim, whom we represented, was unable to work for several weeks as a result of injuries she suffered in this car accident clearly caused by a negligent driver. At mediation, the victim settled her case for $40,000. In Washington State, a new law went into effect last year banning texting or talking on a cell phone without a hand-free device.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Washington car accident caused by a distracted driver, please contact one of the experienced Seattle personal injury attorneys at the Bernard Law Group. Kirk Bernard and his legal team have a successful track record pursuing these negligent drivers and holding them accountable for their recklessness. Call us today for a free, comprehensive consultation and evaluation of your Washington car accident claim.
