Distracted driving due to cell phone use is a major safety issue and causing an alarming number of motor vehicle/car crashes. This page provides relevant information regarding the risks associated with distracted driving and advice on what you should do to avoid getting into a car wreck. After viewing this page, please download our free consumer guide about distracted driving.
Rick is a Virginia injury attorney who handles car accidents, medical malpractice, FELA, wrongful death, etc.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) conducted a major study and issued a report called "Driving While Distracted." Amazingly, between 4,000 and 8,000 crashes per day are connected to distracted driving.
Driving while on a cell phone is a prime example of distracted driving. In fact, by the end of 2004, there were 182 million cellular phone subscribers in the United States.
In two separate field studies, over 40 percent of Americans admit to driving while on their cell phone. However, just by looking around at your local intersection, you may be able to surmise that this is probably a low estimate.
Our firm has on the forefront of this major auto safety problem and even wrote an in-depth consumer report about distracted driving. Take advantage of the free download here.
The NHTSA study found that reaction times are reduced by about 20 percent for drivers using cell phones over drivers not so distracted. There is a condition called "inattentive blindness" which suggests that the cognitive distraction caused by mobile phone use mutes a driver's awareness of information while they are driving. The studies showed that it does not matter if the cell phone is held to the ear or is used hands-free. The distraction is attributable to cognitive preoccupation, and not to method of usage.
Drivers must be careful and not handle intense phone conversations during driving, if not handle a cell phone at all. Unfortunately, our brains can only process a certain level of cognitive processing at once. Over and over, it has been reported that a driver on a cell phone has run a red light or caused a major wreck by simply not processing obvious information.
Our legal strategy, if you decide to hire us for your injury case, is to subpoena cell phone bills and carefully investigate any facts that may indicate cell phone use in any way contributed to the car crash. This often explains the negligence or carelessness of the at-fault driver who caused the serious injury.
About the Editors: Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton is a Virginia (VA) injury law firm whose attorneys focus exclusively on personal injury and accident law. We have a proven track record in the court room, and you can review our case results to see for yourself. We have offices in Virginia Beach and Hampton, but we're ready to come to you anywhere in VA if you've been seriously hurt by the carelessness of another person or company. Virginia injury lawyers Rick Shapiro and James Lewis have been recognized as among the Best Lawyers in America since 2008. Shapiro and Lewis have also been selected by the National Million Dollar Advocates Forum since 2009. Rick, Jim and Randy have been named Virginia Super Lawyers for Personal Injury Law (Jim since '06, Rick since '10, and Randy since '12). This is a prestigious recognition that only 5 percent of lawyers receive.
Our attorneys have deep roots in Virginia and handle cases throughout the commonwealth including Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Newport News, Hampton and Suffolk, VA.
While not every injury case meets our criteria, we offer free initial confidential consultations, so call us toll free at (800) 752-0042. If you cannot get through due to the high call volume, please leave a voicemail and we will get back to you shortly.
Car Accident Lawyers & Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
Crashes Caused by Trucks
Medical Malpractice/Doctor Mistakes
Brain Damage/Head Injuries
Railroad Injury/FELA
All Serious Injuries
Dangerous Drugs & Devices/Product Recalls