Education on Distracted Driving to Prevent Distracted Driving Accidents
Howard County high school students attended a Distracted Driving Presentation to educate them on the dangers of distracted driving, reported The Baltimore Sun. “Distract driving” includes phone use while driving, cell use while driving, and texting while driving. It also can include something as simple as brushing one’s hair, or unbuckling a seat belt.
Students quickly learned the dangers of distracted driving, including the risk of texting and driving accidents. They were given a Wii steering wheel and told to navigate a virtual road in Mario Kart while texting at the same time. When the game began, one student’s video game car immediately careened off the road. Within four minutes, the four students playing the game crashed their cars more than 20 times, sometimes running into walls, driving in the opposite direction or simply driving off a cliff.
What are Causes of Distracted Driving Accidents?
Distracted driving accidents can be caused by texting while driving, and cell phone use while driving, but there are many causes. They include:
- Texting
- Using a cell phone or smartphone
- Eating and drinking
- Talking to passengers
- Grooming
- Reading, including maps
- Using a navigation system
- Watching a video
- Adjusting a radio, CD player, or MP3 player
Distracted Driving Accident Statistics
In 2010, 3092 people were killed in crashes involving a distracted driver and an estimated additional 416,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver, according to U. S. government statistics. 18% of injury crashes in 2010 were reported as distraction-affected crashes.
Car Accidents Caused by Distracted Driving
If you or a loved one has been injured in a texting while driving accident, or a car crash caused by cell phone use while driving, a car accident attorney experienced with distracted driving accidents can help.
Jonathan Scott Smith is a top-rated car accident lawyer, with over 30 years of courtroom experience. As you can see by his background, Mr. Smith is an experienced, respected, and credentialed trial attorney. He has successfully handled distracted driving accident cases, including texting accidents and cell use while driving car accidents, for over three decades. He fights hard for his clients. That’s why many satisfied clients think so highly of him.
Case Studies in Distracted Driving Accidents
In one case successfully handled by Mr. Smith, a driver ran a red light, swerved to avoid another vehicle, ran up onto the median, and struck a pedestrian lawfully standing in the crosswalk. The pedestrian was catapulted into the air, landing on the road. She sustained traumatic injuries, including facial fractures; leg fractures; and other serious injuries. The investigating police officer was unable to determine why the accident happened. Mr. Smith sued the driver and questioned her in a deposition, where she admitted being on her cell phone at the time of the accident. Her insurance company paid the entire policy limits.
In another case, a driver was listening to a conference call on his cell phone, while at the same time the driver was adjusting the controls on his car’s heater, during heavy rush hour traffic. He rear-ended another car that had stopped in traffic, injuring the driver. The insurance company for the distracted driver paid a personal injury settlement.
Top-Rated Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer
If a car accident caused by a driver’s texting while driving, or cell phone use while driving, has caused injuries to, or the death of, a family member, you need an experienced car accident lawyer and wrongful death attorney. Jonathan Scott Smith will help guide you through this tragedy, and help you obtain justice and closure.
Mr. Smith’s extensive trial experience — and track record of successful results in distracted driving car crashes and other cases — has earned him the recognition of his peers, with an AV® Preeminent™* Peer Review Rating in the Martindale-Hubbell peer review rating process, and a 10.0 Superb AVVO rating. These are the highest ratings possible for legal skill, ethical practice, alawyer’s years in practice, disciplinary history, professional achievements and industry recognition.
Contact a Distracted Driving Car Accident Attorney
For assistance in a distracted driving accident case, contact us online to schedule a consultation, or call (410) 441-5054 now. We can help.