Cell Phones and car accidents

Cell phones have been on the market now for over 25 years. There are over 139 million cell phone subscribers in the U.S. and the number is growing as children began using them.

The use of cell phones and the act of texting while driving has had a major impact on car accidents across the country. While teenagers are the main culprits here, adult drivers also share in driving while distracted by using their cell phones.

Some scary facts to think about the next time you get in your car: more than 65 percent of teenagers who get behind the wheel to drive are using their cell phones as they navigate. Every year more than 25 percent of all fatal car crashes that involved teenage drivers between the ages of 16 and 21 were because of cell phone use while driving.

As if driving while trying to talk on a cell phone is enough of a distraction, teenagers are now texting while driving. Speaking on a phone is one thing but trying to safely use the text message feature on your phone while trying to drive is nearly impossible. You cannot type on a cell phone without taking your eyes off the road, and oftentimes it only takes a second for something unexpected to pop up that will cause an automobile accident.

It even seems that as the technology and added features of the cell phones improve, the distraction level increases. You can now watch television on your cell phone, which is a great feature to have but it may be too tempting for teenagers who do not have that much experience driving to begin with.

And it is not to say that adults are not talking on their cell phones as they drive because they certainly are. Many do realize the risk and have voluntarily incorporated the use of headsets into their driving routine. Distraction from cell phone use is a serious issue and many states are getting involved to prevent any further tragedies that could be prevented.

As of July 2009 there are six states that have completely banned the use of handheld cell phones while driving: California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Oregon and Washington. It is also against the law to drive while using a handheld cell phone in the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands. And 20 states have passed laws that make it illegal to text someone on your cell phone while driving.

In order to file a personal injury claim from injuries that have resulted from an automobile accident you must be able to prove that the accident was caused by the negligence of the other party involved. Distractions from the use of a cell phone and or text messaging while driving are a major form of distraction and a simple act of negligence that could be so easily prevented.

If you have suffered medical injuries, loss of wages, pain and suffering and even the loss of a loved one at the hands of a distracted cell phone user, please contact our law firm at 1-914-288-9595 and we can help you receive the compensation that you deserve. Gaines, Gruner, Ponzini & Novick, LLP