Distracted Driving Injury Accidents

Advances in technology have made our ability to connect with family and friends, find out what’s going on in the world and figure out where we want to go for dinner easier than ever before. But, these same advances have also resulted in unintentional dangerous consequences on our roadways.  If you are involved in an accident that was caused by a distracted driving, contact one of our experienced and successful Pittsburgh, PA distracted driveling lawyers for a free initial consultation.

Texting While Driving

Driver distraction is the term used to describe anything that takes our attention from the road while we are driving. While there are several types of “distractions,” the largest concern involves texting while driving. This is due to the fact that texting requires visual, manual and cognitive attention from the driver.
According to statistics about distracted driving, sending or receiving a text message takes the driver’s eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds. That equals driving the distance of an entire football field (at 55 mph) while blind. It has also been estimated that texting while driving increases the risk for crashing by 23 times.
Most states have implemented laws against texting while driving. West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Ohio have all banned text messaging while driving but people continue to do it.

Distracted Driving Accidents:

Distracted driving is the major cause in a wide variety of different types of auto accidents that range from very serious accidents resulting in a wrongful death, to minor, rear-ended accidents.  Here are some of the different types of auto accidents that are commonly the result of distracted driving behavior:

Other Forms of Distracted Driving

There are several other distractions that can take our focus away from driving and cause accidents, including:

  • Talking on a hand held cell phone (many states require people to use hands free devices)
  • Looking at a map
  • Looking at directions on an electronic navigation system
  • Messing with a CD player, radio or iPod
  • Putting on makeup
  • Eating

Anything that takes our attention off the road while driving is dangerous. The following are some statistics about distracted driving:

  • 3,092 people were killed and 416,000 people were injured in accidents that involved a distracted driver in 2010 [Source]
  • 18 percent of motor vehicle crashes in 2010 involved distracted driving [Source]
  • 40 percent of American teens say they have been in a car recently where the driver was using a cell phone [Source]
  • 11 percent of all drivers under the age of 20 who were involved in a car accident were reported as being distracted at the time of their accident

Injured in an Accident Caused by Distracted Driving?

If you were injured in an accident that involved distracted driving, you can seek legal help for your injuries. The Pittsburgh car accident lawyers at Chaffin Luhana represent individuals who are involved in auto accidents caused by negligence throughout the Ohio Valley in West Virginia, Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio. To schedule a consultation to discuss your case, contact us today.

Related Pages and Posts:

Car Accident Frequently Asked Questions
Common Causes/Types of Car Accidents
Common Car Crash Injuries
What to do After a Car Accident