New York residents have been hearing for years now that texting while driving significantly increases the risk of a car accident.
Most of us know that we should not text and drive. New York bans adult drivers from texting and using a handheld phone altogether while driving.
Some recent statistics
However, the American Automobile Association recently surveyed drivers about their texting and driving habits and found that a vast majority of them realized that texting while driving posed a serious or very serious safety threat.
Nevertheless, 39% of these same drivers acknowledged that in the last month they had read a text while driving, while 29% reported that they had sent a text while driving, as well.
Part of the problem may be that although we recognize that texting and driving is dangerous, we do not realize just how dangerous.
Texting while driving is more dangerous than you may think
Texting is a form of distracted driving, which is defined as anything that takes your attention away from your primary task of driving.
When you send or receive a text while driving, it distracts you by impairing your reaction time. Studies have revealed that it takes approximately 27 seconds for your eyes to focus back on the road after you take them off the road to look at your phone.
Additionally, sending a text while you are driving can effect your reaction time as much as drinking 4 beers in an hour and then driving.
You may never consider drinking 4 beers and then getting behind the wheel, since the danger seems obvious. The danger could not seem as obvious when it comes to sending a text, although it is.
Signs of distracted drivers
While you may never use your phone or text while driving, these statistics show that there are still plenty of people on New York’s crowded roads and highways doing so.
You can often spot these people in traffic. They are driving erratically, speeding, driving too slowly or veering off into other lanes. Sometimes you can even see them staring at their phone if you glance over.
Distracted driving is negligent driving. This means if you are in an accident with a distracted driver, you could potentially recover compensation for your injuries if you can prove the driver was negligent.
Proving a driver was distracted can be a challenge
This can be tricky if the negligence was distracted driving. Speeding and drunk driving are other forms of negligence, but those can sometimes be easier to prove because speedometer results or blood alcohol content level readings can be used as evidence to show negligence.
If you are hit by a driver who was on their phone, you might not have any evidence proving it. The driver could deny they were using their phone or otherwise distracted and may accuse you of being the negligent driver.
We are on your side
You have rights that deserve protection after a car accident. Asserting these rights and successfully proving negligence could help you recover damages for medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering.
This is why it is important to contact a personal injury attorney after you have been in a car accident. An attorney can evaluate your situation, help you gather the evidence you need and advocate for your right to compensation.