Driving While Texting
Was your loved one injured or killed as a result of the negligence of someone who was texting while driving? You are not alone. Speaking with a
car accident attorney will help you make an educated decision about your legal claim.
Victims of car accident that was a result of driving while texting should consult a an attorney to discuss the details of the crash and determine if there is a viable car accident legal claim. In the end the decision to move forward with your lawsuit to be compensated for your losses and medical bills is yours and should not be taken lightly.
While it is difficult to obtain precise data on just how many people are engaging in this dangerous practice, the
Text Free Driving Organization reports that
80% of crashes occur due to driver distraction. Driver distraction can occur when drivers fail to focus on the safe operation of their vehicle and multi-task driving with:
- Eating
- Handling iPods
- CDs,
- Grooming
- Reading maps,
- Talking and texting on their cell phones
Distracted drivers can cause accidents that result in catastrophic injuries and death for innocent victims. Kristi Oates lost her son, 14-year old Danny Oates, in a fatal crash. The Orange County Register stated that a 21-year-old driver ran into Danny, who was riding his bike to school. The driver was charged with a felony and investigators believe that he was under the influence of opiates at the time of the crash and may have been texting a drug dealer.
Ms. Oates discussed with the Register the pain she endures as a result of her son’s tragic accident and the negligence of the suspect. “It’s very difficult for us to show up in court every time,” Kristi Oates said. “Every time we come it’s so painful and set us back on our grief recovery. I have to show up and listen to lies.”
The families of five cheerleading friends who died in a highly publicized accident in New York surely identify with the pain expressed by Kristi Oates. The girls had graduated high school together just five days before the crash, and were on their way to a vacation home. Investigators discovered that
the driver was talking on her cell phone and sending text messages just minutes before she crashed head-on into a tractor trailer.
Students, their families, teachers and staff of Fairport High School gathered at the school after the accident and mourned together. The principal called on the community to “be aware and be prepared to support each other during this absolutely horrible time.”
If you have questions regarding criminal or civil penalties for the negligent driver, you can
speak with a car accident attorney who can advise you on the legal consequences for those involved in the accident.