Texting, Talking, & Tragedy: How Cellphones Remain Washington’s Top Distraction Risk
Regardless of enforcement efforts and awareness campaigns, drivers still continue to use cell phones when driving cars. Distracted driving significantly increases the risk of serious collisions and injuries to drivers, passengers, and other people on and around the roadway. It only takes a moment of inattention to cause harm. It is important to be aware of the risks associated with distracted driving and know what to do if you are involved in a crash with someone who was distracted by their cell phone.
Texting is Momentary, Injuries Can Be Permanent
Any type of cell phone use while driving is dangerous. Texting is the most obvious example of distracted driving, because the driver’s eyes are taken off the road while at least one hand is used to type. However, talking on the phone, using voice-to-text, and even navigating GPS can divert a driver’s attention away from the road and the surrounding vehicles. Most people are unable to safely multi-task while driving.
Sending or reading a text message can take at least five seconds. If a driver is travelling at 55 miles per hour, they would have covered a distance of nearly 300 feet during those five seconds of complete inattention. Any cell-phone related activity distracts a driver, and it can also take a significant amount of time for the driver to regain their focus. Humans do not automatically resume concentration just because they have put their phone down and place their eyes back on the road.
By breaking down how quickly vehicles travel in short time periods, it is easy to understand why any cell phone use is hazardous. An instant of distraction can have severe consequences for passengers, other drivers, and pedestrians. According to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, distracted driving has resulted in 274 deaths since 2023.
What to do if You Were Injured by a Distracted Driver
If you have been injured in a crash involving a distracted driver who was using their cell phone, you may have a bodily injury claim. There are many different ways to prove that the driver was using their cell phone at the time of the collision. It is important to note that the driver’s actions (for example: veering into another lane, failing to stop or yield) are the important factors that are at issue. Most of these actions that result from distracted driving are considered negligent, regardless of the distracted driving component.
Nonetheless, it can be helpful to your case if you are able to prove that the driver was on their phone at the time of the crash. Not only can it help in cases where liability may be disputed, but being able to prove cell phone usage may also serve as an aggravating factor. A personal injury lawyer can work to obtain witness testimony and/or the driver’s cell phone records to show that they were distracted at the time of the crash.
Contact Us
If you have been injured in a motor vehicle collision, speak to a Vancouver personal injury attorney at Schauermann Thayer for a free initial consultation. You can schedule time to speak to a car accident lawyer by visiting our website or by calling us today at (360) 695-4244.
