Has Your Smartphone Made You A Foolish Driver?

Attorney Grant Travis | Travis Law Firm | Personal Injury Attorney, DUI Defense Attorney, Criminal Defense Attorney | Serving Erie, Crawford, Warren & all of Northwestern PA | Call the Travis Law Firm at 814-277-2222 today!

We love our smartphones because they can do almost anything for us from choosing a restaurant or give us directions to playing our favorite cat video or capturing the perfect picture to post on social media. Our smartphones tell us where to be, when to be there, and why we are there. We use them to stay organized and make our lives easier. However, have our smartphones turned us into foolish drivers?

Forgetting the Dangers of Distracted Driving

Almost everyone has a smartphone these days, including adults and teens. We rely on our phones for so much it is easy to forget what a distraction our phones can be for us. Just look around at the restaurant to see how distracting phones can be for family dinner. Entire families, including small children, are playing on their smartphones or other electronic devices instead of interacting with each other. Unfortunately, allowing your smartphone to be a distraction when you are driving can be deadly.

There is a huge difference between texting or reading an email at dinner and doing these things behind the wheel of a vehicle.  When we pay attention to our smartphone instead of the road ahead, we increase the risk of being involved in a serious car accident. We risk our lives and the lives of every other person on the road — that makes us a very foolish driver. It is sad, but all the warnings about distracted driving don’t seem to be getting through to most people.

How Common Is Distracted Driving?

Approximately 68 percent of teen drivers admitted that they use social media apps while they are driving, according to a poll by Common Sense Media. Another study by AAA reveals that distracted driving causes 60 percent of teen driving crashes. It is crucial that parents stress the dangers of distracted driving, including the use of smartphones or other electronic devices while driving. However, parents must first set a good example.

Common Sense Media also found that roughly half of the parents polled admitted to using their smartphones while driving. Teen drivers learn from their parents.  Therefore, parents must set a good example by putting their phones down while driving and leaving them to put away until they safely arrive at their destination.

Car Accidents Caused by Smartphone Use

When a driver causes a car crash because he or she was using a smartphone while driving, that driver is liable for any damages that result from the accident. The damages in a distracted driving car accident can include property damage, medical bills, lost income, physical pain, and emotional suffering. The amount of compensation for damages depends on several factors including the type of injuries, the severity of the injuries, the length of recovery, and the actual out-of-pocket financial losses.

Because it may be difficult to prove that a driver caused an accident because the driver was distracted, it is important to hire an experienced Erie car accident attorney as soon as possible. The insurance adjuster for the other driver may try to convince you that you don’t need an attorney.  Remember, the insurance adjuster doesn’t work for you —he works for the insurance company, and his job is to pay as little as possible for car accident claims. You need an Erie car accident attorney on your side to protect your best interest.

Call an Erie Car Accident Attorney For A Free Appointment

Contact The Travis Law Firm toll-free at (800) 401-2066 to schedule a free legal consultation with an experienced Erie car accident lawyer.