Texting and driving is a bad habit that has become one of the biggest distractions behind the wheel. Did you know that it is estimated that a driver who is texting is 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash than a driver who is not distracted? While 46 states have banned texting and driving completely, the issue still remains rampant.
If you’ve been a victim of a texting & driving collision, you need to talk with our Kansas City distracted driving accident attorneys now. We bring a proven history of claims success to the table, having collected more than $500 million*.
Reach out to Peterson & Associates, P.C. at (816) 298-8708.
The risks and dangers of texting while driving have been widely noted. Dozens of studies have revealed that the majority of drivers admit to sending and reading text messages at some point while on the road and that teens are more likely to be involved in texting accidents than other drivers. However, just how drivers become distracted while texting is not so widely understood.
Primarily, texting distracts drivers three different ways:
It takes an average of five seconds to read or send a text, according to recent studies. When a motorist is traveling at 55 mph down a freeway, the driver will have traveled the length of a football field in that time—without ever looking at the road.
Missouri currently has a ban on texting for novice drivers, which would be any driver under the age of 21. The ban is a primary law, which means an officer can ticket the driver for texting without any other traffic violation taking place. Drivers are usually fined $200 if they are caught texting while driving.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, in 2011, more than 1,800 car accidents were caused by drivers using their cell phones. Overall, more than 40,000 accidents were caused by distracted driving.
In 2015, 100 traffic deaths were linked to driver inattention and 357 crashes involved texting and driving.
In 2016, several new bills were brought forward that would make texting and driving illegal for all drivers—not just “novice” drivers. This would finally put a ban on texting and driving for adult drivers in Missouri. Other bills looked to ban the use of handheld communication devices when driving. Regardless of whether the new bills are passed, the issue of distracted driving is still a serious one that regularly leads to devastating accidents.
Texting and driving collisions are preventable, which is why many victims are left frustrated when an accident occurs. If you’re dealing with injuries caused by someone else’s negligence, don’t go through this time alone.
At Peterson & Associates, P.C., our Kansas City distracted driving accident lawyers are focused on helping victims obtain the justice they deserve. We understand how your life can change in an instant due to another individual’s negligence, and we believe that the party that caused your injuries needs to be held accountable for their actions.
Representation provided on a contingency basis, which means you don’t pay any case costs until and unless we win. Complete a case evaluation form today.
More than even a successful verdict or settlement, we are most proud of providing a positive experience for our clients. Read some of our testimonials to hear from those clients.
Many people that have been injured in car accidents are unsure of where to start with a legal claim. Our team of highly trained lawyers can help to review the details of your crash and guide you through the process. Below, learn more about the attorneys at Peterson & Associates, P.C., their results, and contingency fees.
