Kansas City Texting & Driving Accident Lawyer

The Dangers of Texting While Driving

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:

• Manually – Taking their hands off the wheel
• Visually – Taking their eyes off the road
• Cognitively –Taking their mind off driving

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.

What Are the Texting & Driving Laws in Missouri?

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.

Don’t Wait to Get Help—Call Our Firm at 816-888-8888.

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.