Digital Distractions: The Dangers of Texting and Driving

Constant communication has become a part of our daily lives, with nine in ten Americans owning a cell phone. One of the easiest and most convenient ways of communicating with someone is through text messages, as one can often text in situations where he or she might not be able to talk on the phone. Unfortunately, the ease of texting has resulted in the fairly common practice of texting while driving, which can be extremely dangerous.

Why is Texting and Driving So Dangerous?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are three primary types of distractions that are particularly dangerous when driving. Firstly, there are visual distractions, where you take your eyes off of the road and look at something else. Secondly, there are cognitive distractions, where you stop focusing on the road and let your mind wander elsewhere. Finally, there are manual distractions, where you take your hands off of the road to do something else. Texting while driving illustrates is an extremely dangerous distraction from driving because a driver who texts experiences all three of these types of distractions at once.

What Types of Damages Could I Receive from a Distracted Driving Lawsuit?

If you were injured in a car accident that was not your fault and you believe the at-fault driver was texting at the time of the accident, you may be able to recover damages for your injuries. Damages often awarded in a personal injury lawsuit include:
• Medical expenses such as hospital bills, surgeries, rehabilitation, and prescription medication
• Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity due to an inability to work after the accident;
• Pain and suffering that you experienced as a result of the accident; and
• Loss of companionship.

If a jury determines that the at-fault driver’s distracted driving was exceedingly careless and unacceptable, then punitive damages may also be awarded. These damages are meant to punish the at-fault driver for his or her conduct and deter similar incidents from happening in the future.

Injured by a Distracted Driver? Speak to an Attorney Today!

If you have been injured in a car accident by an at-fault driver who was texting and driving at the time of the accident and you are considering filing a lawsuit for your injuries, time is of the essence. In South Carolina, you have three years from the date of your accident to bring a claim; if this statute of limitations passes, your claim will likely be barred. The experienced car crash attorneys at the Lovely Law Firm are here to help you fight your case. To schedule a case evaluation at no charge, please call (843) 839-4111 today.

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Sources:

Phone statistics: http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/08/26/chapter-1-always-on-connectivity/

Distracted driving statistics: http://www.nhtsa.gov/Research/Crash+Avoidance/Distraction