Cell phones have never been more integrated into our everyday life than they are now. We can use them to navigate, keep in touch with friends, and check our email at a moment’s notice. But you should always exercise extreme caution when using your cell phone while driving. Many people think they can text and drive safely, but this is not the case in many tragic circumstances. In 2011, at least 23% of all auto collisions involved cell phones. That is 1.3 million crashes.
Not everyone can be the exception to the rule. Although 77% of young adults are very or somewhat confident they can text while driving, text messaging makes a crash up to 23 times more likely than if the driver was focused on the road. Everyone can agree that drunk driving is never safe – yet texting and driving is actually six times more likely to cause an accident than intoxicated driving.
Sadly, this is becoming an epidemic. Young people are more likely to use phones, and more likely to use them while driving. At any given time across the country, up to 800,000 drivers are texting while on the road.
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So, how can you protect yourself? First and foremost, never text and drive. If there is an emergency and you need to contact someone, pull over to where you can safely make a call off of the road. In addition, many vehicles are now equipped with Bluetooth technology, where drivers can make calls hands-free. Most newer cell phones also have voice command capability, but it is much safer to stop driving before you contact someone. Equally important, make sure you are aware of the drivers around you. If you notice someone near you who is texting and driving, avoid that vehicle or maintain an extra assured clear distance.
If you are the victim of a motor vehicle crash due to another person’s texting and driving, make sure you get as much information as possible about the other driver and their insurance provider. Call law enforcement as soon as possible and take photos of the accident scene. If you suspect you are injured, seek medical attention. Don’t forget to call your insurance company and let them know what happened.
There’s a very good chance that you will benefit from consulting a auto lawyer if you are the victim of a texting and driving accident. Make sure that you aren’t caught unaware of the dangers of this increasing trend. If you have been the victim of a texting and driving accident, call the experienced professionals at the Fitch Law Firm for a free consultation at 855-529-6446.