There has been a recent surge in the number of traffic fatalities and injuries, and many people have an opinion on what caused it. We might have our answer. In an article by The Seattle Times, Robert Gordon, a top executive at the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, blames traffic congestion and distracted driving for many fatal accidents.
Why is traffic congestion to blame?
Gordon stated that the surge in traffic fatalities and injuries occurred in urban areas with more traffic. While traffic congestion is a danger in itself because it can cause road rage accidents, it also might contribute to distracted driving, which Gordon argues is the biggest cause of accidents.
A study published by True Motion found that when traffic congestion causes the flow of traffic to slow down, people will pick up their cell phones and other mobile devices to talk with friends, check their email, and send text messages.
In addition to talking on their cell phones, checking their email and sending text messages, people often access apps, such as Facebook, Snapchat, Waze, and YouTube, when the traffic has slowed down due to congestion on the roads.
So why is using your phone in traffic dangerous?
Most people know that texting or using your phone while a car is in motion is dangerous, but many assume that just sending a quick text when their car is stopped is not.
However, that text distracts you for much longer than you would think. Research from the AAA found that sending a text or using the hands-free function on your phone actually distracts you for 27 seconds after putting a phone down. This time of this distraction, known as “latency,” is more than enough time to cause an accident, especially if a car is almost directly in front of you.
So, what can I do if I am involved in a distracted driving accident?
It is no secret that distracted driving is an epidemic on Pennsylvania streets. If you were involved in an accident caused by a distracted driver, you may be entitled to compensation.
To recover that compensation you must be able to prove that the driver was distracted at the time of collision. This can be difficult but you might be able to prove it if you can gain access to the driver’s phone records or if another person saw the negligent driver texting before or during the accident.
Obtaining phone records can be difficult as the driver’s phone company will not release records to just anyone. Our attorneys can help you get those records and prove the driver was distracted.
Call us today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your distracted driving accident: 215-642-2335.
