Charlottesville Distracted Driving Lawyers | Virginia Accident Injury Attorneys
Holding drivers accountable for accidents caused by talking and texting while driving
There have always been distractions that caused drivers to pay less attention to the road than they should, but with the popularity of cellphones and other mobile devices, distracted driving has taken on new meaning. If you have been struck by another vehicle, it’s very possible that the driver who hit you was distracted. And if that is the case, you may have a right to legal recovery.
Tucker Griffin Barnes P.C. fights on behalf of accident victims throughout Virginia from our offices in Charlottesville and Lake Monticello. Our team of trial lawyers fights hard on your behalf to ensure you get the compensation you deserve when a distracted driver is the cause of your car accident.
Distracted driving increases accident risks
In a survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the connection between distracted driving and cellphone use, the results are staggering:
- More than 3,300 people died in crashes involving distracted drivers in 2011, and another 387,000 were injured.
- The prior year, almost one in five crashes involved a distracted driver.
- Drivers under the age of 20 suffer the highest proportion of distracted driving crashes.
These troubling statistics suggest that distracted driving poses a greater threat on the road than drunken driving, especially among younger drivers. The threat is also especially serious for truck or motorcycle drivers. A truck or motorcycle accident is likely to produce serious injuries and heavy damage to other vehicles.
Texting as a greater threat than intoxication behind the wheel
Education, law enforcement and nonprofit groups have spent considerable time and money to make people aware of the dangers of drinking and driving. Their efforts over the past several decades have made a difference in public perception and behavior. However, it may come as a shock to learn that texting while driving poses a greater potential hazard to drivers than drinking does. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that texting is six times more likely to result in a crash than drinking and driving.
A study in Great Britain also supports this assessment. It found that, among young drivers, texting impaired reaction times and the ability to maintain a lane while driving more than marijuana or alcohol did, by a wide margin.
The many other causes of distracted driving
Distracted driving involves more than just cellphone use. The federal government classifies a number of activities under the “distracted driving” label:
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Whether you’re injured in an accident caused by someone on their cellphone or someone merely changing radio stations, that person may be held liable for your injuries and additional costs.
Contact us if you think distracted driving was behind your accident
If you were struck by a driver who was texting or otherwise distracted, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Tucker Griffin Barnes PC protects the rights of injury victims and others who have been involved in car accidents. We work with clients throughout Virginia from our offices in Charlottesville, Harrisonburg and Lake Monticello. Contact us at 434-973-7474 or online to learn more.
