Accidents Caused by Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is responsible for causing thousands of car crashes each year. Distracted driving can result from many things including:

• Texting while driving
• Talking on cell phones
• Adjusting the radio
• Reading while driving
• Applying makeup or eating while driving

According to statistics maintained by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2014 alone, approximately 3,179 people were killed and another 431,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes, which involved distracted driving.

The largest proportion of distracted driving crashes involved drivers between the ages of 15 to 19 while drivers in their 20s accounted for approximately 27 percent of distracted drivers.

Unfortunately, with the increase in the use of smart phones, accidents from distracted driving are likely to continue to rise. It is estimated that at any given time of day, there are over 600,000 drivers using smart phones or other electronic devices while driving.

Studies have shown that, on average, it takes up to five seconds to look at a text while driving. During that time, a car traveling at 55 MPH will have gone the distance of a football field without seeing the road! When considering this kind of distance, it’s easy to understand why distracted driving can be so dangerous.

To help fight the growing problem of distracted driving, Massachusetts passed the Safe Driving Law (Ch 90/8M), which became effective on September 30, 2010. The law specifically bans sending, typing or reading any electronic message or texts massages on smartphone or other devices while driving a motor vehicle. The law goes further to ban ALL handheld electronic devices by junior drivers while operating a motor vehicle. Reporting an emergency is the only exception. The fine for a first time violation is $100 and a 60 day license suspension. The fine for second offense is $250 with a 180 day license suspension and third offense can require a fine of $500 with a 1 year suspension!

If you have been injured in an accident caused by distracted driving, you may be able to recover monetary damages including damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering and lost wages and even loss of future earnings.

Steps to Follows When Involved in a Car Accident

As with any accident, it is important to document the accident by reporting it to police as they begin to investigate. You should also take note of the time the accident happened as soon as you can. You should ask the police to note in the report that the driver was distracted when collision occurred so that the incident can be documented as close in time as possible. It is also helpful to take pictures of the damage caused by the collision as well as pictures showing the location where the accident occurred. If there are any witnesses to the collision, it is important to get the witnesses name and contact information including a good cell phone number and email address in the event a statement is needed in the future.

You should also contact an experienced Massachusetts car accident lawyer to discuss your legal options.

The attorneys at Curran Law Group, P.C. hope for your safety, however, if you find yourself in a situation where you require legal representation, contact us. We provide experienced representation for people who have been injured in car accidents throughout Massachusetts & the Boston area.

Call the Greater Boston Personal Injury Attorneys at the Law Office of Curran Law Group, P.C. Today at 781-331-3811 or email Attorney Curran directly at jkcurran@verizon.net.

For more resources and statistics for distracted driving click the link below:

http://www.distraction.gov/stats-research-laws/facts-and-statistics.html