Texting and communication over the Internet has become very popular with almost everyone, especially for teens. It’s built into our “gotta know now” culture. But it is also very dangerous to text and drive. In 2011, nearly a quarter of auto collisions somehow involved cell phones. Even if a text message is short, if a person is reading or writing it, their attention will be taken off the road for at least five seconds. If they are moving at 55 mph, they’ll cover the distance of a football field without seeing the road.
In Georgia, anyone under 18 is forbidden to text and drive. This includes reading, or writing, or using the Internet. Several states ban text messages and other written electronic communication for those under 18, but many teens are still using it.
Know the Facts About Texting & Driving
The Center of Disease Control surveyed 15,000 high school students as part of their 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, and 43% of the respondents 16 or older admitted that they had texted while driving at some point in the last 30 days. Most teens don’t understand the seriousness of texting and driving. Separate research revealed that 77% of young adults were at least “somewhat confident” of their ability to text and drive. Just over half said that it was easy. But there are real consequences. Someone who is sending or receiving electronic messages is 23 times more likely to get into an accident, and often that means that someone is getting hurt.
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a car accident in Kennesaw because a driver under 18 was texting it is important to to talk to an experienced personal injury attorney. Although there is a criminal statute in place for texting under 18 in Georgia, this does not help someone who is actually hurt. For this, a car accident lawyer in Kennesaw or Acworth is necessary in order to get the help you deserve.
Causing an accident because of texting or viewing electronic communication is no doubt traumatic for most teens, and it is easy to come to the conclusion that the insurance company and the police will sort things out. The problem is, it doesn’t. Insurance companies still fight to pay out smaller settlements, and teens eventually get over the initial shock, and start trying to sneak in a quick message to friends again. Punishment for getting caught sending or reading a text is a fine or $150, not enough for many to stay away from the behavior permanently. Research also suggests that those teens and text and drive were more likely to take other risks as well, such as binge drinking or using other drugs. That’s just one more reason why you need a car accident lawyer looking out for you.
The Law Offices of Roger Ghai has served the communities of Acworth and Kennesaw for many years in a variety of personal injury cases, including car accidents, and has played a strong role in making sure cases are thoroughly investigated and that their client’s settlements are enough to cover the true cost of their injury including medical bills, lost work time, and pain and suffering, If you’ve been hurt in an accident because of a texting teen, or for any other reason, call the Law Offices of Roger Ghai in Kennesaw at 770-233-7474 and let us help you send a more memorable message to the teen, while getting more of the compensation and justice you deserve.
For a free legal consultation with a texting and driving under 18 lawyer serving Kennesaw, call (770) 792-1000
Source
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/05/13/texting-driving-teens/2150755/
http://www.db_9b4fec_GhaiLawFirm.com/
http://www.textinganddrivingsafety.com/texting-and-driving-stats/
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