Distracted driving is a significant threat to the safety of drivers on North Carolina roads. Shockingly, distracted driving causes more crashes in NC than speed and alcohol combined, according to a recent report from WRAL. If you were injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver, you need a car accident attorney from the law firm of Poisson, Poisson & Bower, PLLC.
Key Distracted Driving Statistics in North Carolina
Distracted driving is the leading cause of crashes in North Carolina. In a recent year, 44,128 crashes involved distracted driving, resulting in 157 deaths.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines distracted driving as “any activity that diverts attention from driving.” That means anything that takes a driver’s eyes, hands, or mind away from the road counts as a distraction. For example, drivers are distracted when talking or texting on their phones, eating, drinking, engaging with other passengers, or adjusting the settings in their vehicles.
Texting is particularly dangerous, as sending or reading a text message takes your eyes off the road for approximately five seconds. At 55 mph, that is the equivalent of driving the length of a football field while blindfolded.
How Do Distraction’s Dangers Compare to Speeding and Drunk Driving?
Statistics show distracted driving is behind more crashes in NC than speed and alcohol combined. Distractions are characterized as visual, manual, or cognitive. Tapping your phone to read and analyze a text is uniquely dangerous because it incorporates all three forms of distraction.
How does distracted driving compare to driving while intoxicated and speeding? A study conducted at the University of Utah found that drivers are as impaired when they talk on a cell phone while driving as they are when they have a blood-alcohol limit of 0.08%.
According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), crashes caused by distracted driving occurred nearly three times as often as those caused by speeding. Despite efforts to urge North Carolina drivers to avoid distractions while driving, distracted driving continues to cause accidents throughout the state.
Options for People Hurt in Crashes with Distracted Drivers in North Carolina
Being injured in a crash caused by someone else’s distracted driving can be traumatic and frustrating. You may not know where to turn for help. A car accident attorney from Poisson, Poisson & Bower, PLLC, can explain the legal consequences of distracted driving and your options for pursuing money for your injuries and losses.
Let us thoroughly investigate the accident by collecting and analyzing all available evidence, speaking with eyewitnesses, and consulting with accident reconstruction experts, if necessary. We can evaluate the fault of all potentially liable parties – including the distracted driver – and assess the strength of your case. We can collect medical records and other paperwork related to your injuries so we can fully understand your losses and how the accident impacted your life.
Our experienced car accident attorneys are ready to build a robust case to pursue the money you deserve. We can communicate and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf. If the insurance company fails to offer the full and fair compensation you need after a distracted driving accident, we will not hesitate to take your case to court.
Talk to Our North Carolina Distracted Driving Car Accident Attorneys Now
If you were injured in a car accident caused by a distracted driver, get help now. At Poisson, Poisson & Bower, PLLC, our experienced car accident lawyers stand ready to tackle all aspects of your case. Contact us today for a free case review.
