We live in an age of constant connectivity. The advent of cell phones and the Internet has allowed us to always be in contact with others. But while mobile communication devices may be wonderfully convenient, their use should be limited to times and places where we can talk or text safely.
It’s never safe to use a mobile device while driving. Those who engage in this hazardous activity place their lives, their passengers lives and all other road users’ lives in jeopardy. Dialing a phone, reading a text or sending a message while driving requires looking away from the road. And this kind of distracted driving is responsible for far too many accidents every day.
According to information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website, every day there are more than nine fatalities and more than 1,150 people injured in accidents involving distracted driverss. Also, nearly 70 percent of drivers ages 18 to 64 admitted using a cellphone while operating a motor vehicle within the last 30 days. And 31 percent of drivers in the same age range admitted to texting or sending emails within 30 days of being surveyed.
When driving, road conditions can change in the blink of an eye, and all motorists must be ready to respond to avoid catastrophe. As such, motorists must always give their full attention to the task of driving.
But as the statistics cited in this post bear out, distracted drivers are involved in far too many serious accidents. These accidents can leave victims seriously injured and in need of extensive medical care and rehabilitative treatment. Such care is often very costly, meaning that victims and their families typically must rely on compensation to cover medical expenses.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a distracted driver and want to obtain a fair measure of compensation, a Pennsylvania personal injury attorney may be of service. The attorney could carefully assess your circumstances and help you pursue compensation.