Due to their inexperience, teenagers are the demographic group with the greatest likelihood of being in motor vehicle accidents. Unfortunately, teen drivers face risks not just because they have not driven for very long. They also tend to engage in activities that make driving more dangerous. One of the riskiest things teenagers do on the road, is become distracted by their smartphones or other electronic devices.
It is not legal for teens to use a handheld cell phone, or to text while driving in California. In fact, these activities are banned for young drivers throughout most of the United States. Despite the fact it is dangerous and illegal, accidents are caused every day by teenagers on their phones. Teens can also become distracted by things other than their smartphones, and they take their attention away from the road. Young drivers whose actions are considered negligent, can become liable to their passengers, and others, who are hurt as a result of their careless and often illegal choice to stop paying attention to their driving.
Distracted Driving is a Factor in the Majority of Teen Car Accidents
The Washington Post reported that distracted driving is a contributing factor to 58 percent of automobile crashes involving teenage drivers. This number is four times higher than previous estimates of the extent of the teen distracted driving problem. The troubling new statistic comes from an analysis of 1,700 hours of car crash videos studied by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
Cell phones were the distraction in an estimated 12 percent of fatal crashes caused by teenagers behind the wheel. Calling, texting, or the use of other mobile devices caused a distraction for an average of 4.1 in the final six seconds prior to a crash impact in collisions where teen drivers were on the phone at the time of a fatal accident.
The most common cause of teen distracted driving accidents was the young driver becoming distracted by other passengers in the car; this was the cause of 15 percent of deadly accidents with teenaged drivers. Other top causes of distracted driving accidents included looking at something inside or outside of the vehicle; singing or dancing to music; grooming activities; and reaching for something inside of the vehicle.
Get Help from a Long Beach Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer
Your Injuries are Personal to Me
If you were involved in a distracted driving crash, a Long Beach car accident lawyer can provide you with legal representation. The Law Office of Michael D. Waks represents clients in collisions with adult or teen drivers who were distracted. I have helped many clients to successfully show they were harmed by a distracted driver so they can obtain compensation for crash losses. Whenever you or someone you love was hurt by a motorist who wasn’t paying attention, I will fight for your right to full compensation after an injury occurs. Call the Law Office of Michael D. Waks at 888-394-1174 or use the convenient online contact form to schedule a free consultation.
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