Texting and Driving Now Leads to More Accidents than Driving Under the Influence

Texting and Driving Now Leads to More Accidents Than Driving Under the Influence

Although accidents caused by individuals driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can lead to catastrophic injuries and are still an extreme problem across the United States, distracted driving is becoming a leading cause of accidents.

Despite the fact that cellphone-related distractions like texting essentially emerged from nowhere ten years ago, today they are the leading public health hazards. In fact, their toll in terms of serious accidents now surpasses that of drunk driving. In fact, operator texting distractions have even expanded over to other types of vehicle accidents, including devastating train accidents in recent years. The National Safety Council reports that 100,000 automobile accidents every year are linked to texting and driving. Many teens report that texting and driving is a common behavior engaged in by their friends.

Individuals do not realize the true impact of a distracted driving accident until it’s too late. Drivers are under the impression they can look away from the road for just a couple of seconds to read or respond to a text message, but this is just enough time to lose focus and to end up in a catastrophic accident.

Plenty of research studies have drawn the connection between failing to pay attention behind the wheel for just two or three seconds and the devastating consequences of a major personal injury accident, and yet the behavior is still very common not just in teens, but in many driver age categories.

There are many ways a driver can lose focus, and every driver on the roads of North Dakota should make an effort to prevent serious accidents by avoiding distracted behavior at all times. Texting is not the only form of distracted driving. Other examples include:

• Talking to someone else in the vehicle
• Adjusting the GPS settings or the car’s radio/satellite station
• Applying makeup
• Eating food
• Talking on a cell phone

When an accident happens as a result of texting and driving, it’s not just the driver in the vehicle causing the accident who may sustain injuries. In fact, other vehicles may have little to no time to react to a distracted driver, becoming victims in an accident that was completely preventable. If you have been injured in a distracted driving accident due to another driver’s reckless or negligent behavior, you have rights. You may be entitled to file a personal injury claim in order to receive compensation for your injuries.

Given that texting and driving accidents can yield such lifelong and serious injuries, it is essential to consult with a knowledgeable lawyer about a potential personal injury claim sooner, rather than later. Do not hesitate to reach out to the Minot accident attorneys at Larson Law Firm, P.C. to learn more about the potential for filing a claim so that you can recover compensation. Victims of texting and driving accidents in North Dakota need the advice of our knowledgeable accident attorneys.

Our office is located in Minot and is easily accessible with convenient parking. Contact us online or by phone at 701-484-4878.