A recent study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that phone use by drivers, such as texting, browsing the internet, and selecting song choices, has risen dramatically over the past few years. In the four-year span from 2014 to 2018, the number of people observed using their phones while driving rose by a staggering 57%.
Distracted driving can be especially dangerous in urban and suburban areas. In the greater Chicago area, texting while driving and other types of distractions can put everyone at risk. If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident that was caused by distracted driving, you should work with an attorney to pursue compensation from the negligent driver.
The Dangers of Distracted Driving
As smartphone capabilities increase and people use their devices more and more often, drivers become tempted to use their phones while on the road, and this has led to the dramatic increase in distracted driving collisions throughout the United States. According to statistics compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 390,000 Americans were severely injured in car accidents caused by distracted driving in 2015, and approximately 3,450 people were killed due to the reckless actions of distracted drivers in 2016.
What makes distracted driving so dangerous? The simple answer is that mobile phone use takes a driver’s eyes and attention off the road. For the average American, sending or reading a text message requires them to look away from the road for an estimated five seconds. A vehicle traveling at 55 miles per hour will cover more than 100 yards within a five second period. A driver who is not paying attention as they cover this distance may be unable to react in time to avoid colliding with a vehicle or pedestrian in front of them, or they may drift out of their lane of traffic. As a result, serious accidents can occur, and other drivers, passengers, or pedestrians are likely to be injured.
Contact a Will County Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer
If you have been injured in a car accident caused by a distracted driver, you deserve to receive full financial compensation for any and all injuries suffered. With years of experience, Attorney Daniel Flaherty is confident in his ability to secure a settlement that will sufficiently compensate you for the loss of work hours, vehicular damage, expensive medical bills, and pain and suffering resulting from a collision. To schedule a complimentary consultation with an adept Plainfield car accident attorney, call our office today at 815-860-5702.
Sources
https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2019/01/24/distracted-driving-iihs/2655556002/