Texting and Driving Statistics
Statistics have proven that texting and driving is a leading cause of car accident injuries and fatalities. Erie Insurance conducted a survey in 2015, which revealed that a third of drivers admit to texting while driving. Most of us have observed drivers on the road, who have one eye on a cell phone screen and another on the road. It is needless to say that these distracted drivers put their lives and others at risk.
Each year, as many as 3,000 people are killed and 400,000 people are injured by distracted drivers. According to Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, texting while driving increases the risk of a car accident by 23 percent. Drivers who engage in texting while driving have a slower reaction time than drunk drivers.
Pew Research Center Statistics
Studies have shown that teenagers are more likely to text than other drivers on the road. 11 percent of drivers in the age group of 18-20 who caused an auto accident admitted to texting while driving. However, it is a mistake to think that younger drivers are the only ones who text and drive. The population of cell phone users is growing older. A survey by Pew Research Center shows that seventy-three percent of all cell phone owners text. Ten percent of people in the age group of 55-64 years text and this number is rapidly growing.
Injured by a Distracted Driver
Strict laws can certainly prevent distracted driving to an extent but the ultimate responsibility lies with each driver. A few seconds of distraction can cost a life. If you or a loved one has sustained injuries in a distracted driving accident, consult a Houston accident attorney to understand your rights and legal options. Call Attorney Reshard Alexander – Big Rig Bull at (713) 766.3322 for a free consultation
Studies show that sending or reading a text message commands a driver’s attention for a dangerous amount of time. It also increases the risk of the driver causing a crash.
This is why texting while driving is a huge problem in Houston and Texas. Also, this is why it remains a threat on our roads.
Houston truck accident lawyer Reshard Alexander has seen too many people hurt and too many families devastated by texting accidents. Our goal is to help victims to recover by seeking compensation from the careless drivers who harmed them. To learn how Houston truck accident lawyer Reshard Alexander can assist you, contact the firm today. Initial consultations are always free.
Texting while driving requires visual, manual, and cognitive attention that the driver should instead direct toward the task of safely operating his or her vehicle. In fact, the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) reports that sending or receiving a text message diverts a driver’s eye from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds. At 55 mph, that is the same as driving the length of a football field – blindfolded.
It’s no wonder that, according to the VTTI, you are 23 times more likely to get into a crash when you are texting while driving than you would be if you were driving without a distraction.
Studies show that teens, in particular, are more likely to cause texting accidents. This is because teens generally communicate more through texting than older drivers.
A recent survey indicates that teens who text and driver may also be more prone to other types of dangerous driving.
In the survey, 45 percent of high school students ages 16 and older admitted they had texted or e-mailed while driving during the prior month. These teens were five times more likely to also drive after drinking alcohol, the survey revealed.
In recognition of the dangers of texting, while driving, the city of Austin now prohibits writing, sending, or receiving text messages while operating a motor vehicle. However, the city of Houston is still considering whether to ban texting while driving.
Therefore, Houston drivers continue to engage in this risky behavior. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that 660,000 drivers are using a cell phone or texting “at any given daylight moment across America.”
You should contact a Houston truck accident attorney immediately if you or a loved was injured a car accident. Your lawyer will investigate whether the other driver’s texting contributed to the crash. This can be determined by obtaining cell phone records from the other driver’s mobile service provider. The timestamps can reveal if the driver sent or read a text just before impact. In some cases, the actual content of the texts can reveal this information.
An attorney can also obtain sworn oral statements (depositions) or written statements (affidavits) from witnesses who saw the other driver texting. At Houston truck accident lawyer Reshard Alexander, the firm may seek to hold the driver liable for the harm you or your family member has suffered. If the driver was conducting company business at the time of the crash, his or her employer could be held legally responsible.
We can file a legal claim against all responsible parties that seek compensation for your medical expenses, lost income and suffering, and other losses.
If you believe that texting while driving caused your car accident, you need to get legal help, Contact Houston truck accident lawyer Reshard Alexander today. We will provide a free review of your case. You will not pay for our legal services unless we obtain compensation for you and your family. Call today (713) 766.3322 or 800.688.7551.