As usage rates of mobile devices continue to grow, so too have the number of accidents involving texting or using a cellphone while driving. Research by the National Safety Council shows that in 2014:
- Cell phone use is now estimated to be involved in 26 percent of all motor vehicle crashes
- An estimated 5 percent of crashes involve texting
- 21 percent involve drivers talking on handheld or hands-free cell phones
Distraction and Texting – Studies on the effects of texting while driving are disturbing. A VTTI report shows that, “Text messaging increased the risk of a crash or near-crash by two times and resulted in drivers taking their eyes off the road for an average of 23 seconds total.”
Think of it this way: if you’re travelling at 55 mph an hour and use your phone for just 5 seconds, you’ll have taken your eyes off the road as you travelled the length of a football field. It’s for this reason that claims against drivers that caused car accident due to texting and driving at the same time need to be taken more seriously.
If you or anyone you know is dealing with the aftermath of a texting and driving or distracted driver accident, don’t hesitate to talk to the car accident attorneys at our Texas injury law firm today.
