Every day in the U.S., distracted drivers claim the lives of nine people and injure nearly 1,200 more. Even more alarming, at any given time – right now, for instance – nearly 700,000 people are using cellphones or other electronic devices while behind the wheel. With numbers like that, it’s easy to see why distracted driving-related accidents are on the rise. And despite lawmakers’ efforts to attach penalties to texting while behind the wheel, the number of people who text, use email, post selfies and update their statuses on social sites while driving remains on the rise.
The huge price of texting while driving was brought to national attention in early March when Wisconsin police announced a traffic accident that killed three children, including the driver’s own daughter, occurred because the driver was chatting on Facebook and failed to notice she had jumped lanes and was barreling head-on into a tractor trailer. The unfortunate thing is that while tragic, that case is hardly an exception. Another headline-grabbing accident occurred in late 2014 when a texting 20-year old from North Dakota plowed into the back of an SUV, killing an 89-year-old passenger. You see similar stories in the news nearly every day.
While you can’t control the behavior of drivers in other vehicles, there are some steps you can take to minimize your risk of a distracted driving accident:
- Tweet, broadcast a text or post a status on social sites before you get in the car letting your friends know you’ll be unavailable.
- Turn your cellphone off when you’re behind the wheel and only use it when you’ve pulled safely off the road. Same with your GPS system.
- If you need a snack or a drink, find a rest area or stay parked at the restaurant or store where you bought your snack to eat and drink.
- Tweak your time management skills so you have plenty of time to apply makeup, brush your hair or do other grooming tasks before you hit the road. Do any last-minute touch-ups once you’re parked at your destination.
- Don’t be tempted to text or check the Internet while you’re at a stop light.
- Educate your kids about the dangers of distracted driving and get them to adopt the habits listed above.
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Most importantly, if you find yourself involved in an accident – even a minor one – contact an experienced car accident attorney in Kennesaw to make sure your rights are protected. All too often, accident victims find themselves dealing with financial hardship following an accident, thanks to out-of-pocket medical costs and lost wages. A skilled car accident lawyer in Kennesaw can help you understand your rights and learn how you can protect yourself from financial loss.
Just remember to choose wisely: Not every car accident attorney in Kennesaw has the skills and experience to successfully represent victims’ needs in a way that ensures a positive outcome. At the Law Offices of Roger Ghai, our staff understands how intricate and complex car accident cases can be. We’ve earned a reputation as a hard-hitting car accident lawyer in Kennesaw because we give each case the individual attention it deserves to make sure we explore every avenue for the best possible results. If you or a loved one has been in a car accident, call our offices today at (770) 792-1000 and schedule a consultation to learn how we can help.
Source
http://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/distracted_driving/
http://www.distraction.gov/get-the-facts/facts-and-statistics.html
http://www.cnet.com/news/driver-was-on-facebook-before-crash-that-killed-three-say-cops/#ftag=YHF65cbda0
http://www.nhtsa.gov/About+NHTSA/Press+Releases/NHTSA+Survey+Finds+660,000+Drivers+Using+Cell+Phones+or+Manipulating+Electronic+Devices+While+Driving+At+Any+Given+Daylight+Moment
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