In today’s fast-paced society, many people view a cell phone as a necessity and no longer as a luxury. Depending on an individual’s profession or daily activities, a simple cell phone may not be enough and a smart phone may be mandatory to enable that person to navigate the day. With the impressive advances made in cell phone technology in the last decade, it is not surprising that so many people in Chicago have their phones with them at all times of the day and night, including when they are driving.
While much of the advancement in cell phones has been positive, their ease of use and portability has had some drawbacks at the same time. Far too often, drivers in Illinois are using their cell phones while they are behind the wheel even though studies continue to show the dangers associated with that use. Among the most threatening behaviors is texting while driving which may be as distracting and dangerous as driving while under the influence of alcohol.
Recently, the Huffington Post gathered some major statistics about texting while driving and presented them in an effort to raise awareness. Among those facts, a reported 98 percent of drivers acknowledge that it is dangerous to text and drive but 49 percent of those same people admit to doing it.
It is estimated that nine people lose their lives every day in car accidents in America that involve distraction on the part of one of more driver. Though the distraction can take any form, often it involves the use of a cell phone and texting while driving. Simultaneously, an estimated 341,000 car accidents in 2013 are believed to have involved texting. Simply eliminating this activity could save hundreds to thousands of lives annually and prevent billions of dollars’ worth of damages that happen as a result of car accidents.
Many drivers understand that it is dangerous to text and drive but they fail to comprehend fully the threat posed when they do. Statistically, a driver can only look away from the road safely for two seconds while operating a car but, on average, it takes five seconds to send a text message. That means that a driver is four times more likely to be involved in a collision if he or she is texting behind the wheel.
Despite all this, numerous reports indicate that texting while driving is becoming a more common activity and an increasing threat to the safety of all drivers on American roads. In response, many states have outlawed the activity and even those that do not have a specific prohibition on texting while driving tend to make the activity illegal under similar rules against operating a vehicle in an unsafe manner.
While some drivers continue to text, car accidents will keep happening in the Chicago area. If you have been injured in a collision with a driver who was texting or if your loved one was hurt or killed, make sure you understand your legal rights and whether you have a valid claim for the damages you sustained.
If you have questions or if you need representation, the personal injury attorneys at Abels & Annes, P.C. are standing by 24 hours a day, seven days a week to take your call toll free at (855) 529-2442 or locally at (312) 294-7575. We will offer you a free case consultation without any obligation on your part and everything discussed will be kept confidential.
If you have been hurt, we want to help you obtain the financial settlement you need and deserve to compensate you for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages as well as any other harm you endured. Call us today and let us get to work for you.
Prior Blog Entry:
Wells Street Green Wave Set to Ease Bicycling Congestion in Chicago, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, published June 15, 2015.
10 Statistics That Capture The Dangers Of Texting And Driving, by Erin Schumaker, The Huffington Post, published June 8, 2015.