Car Accidents Caused by Texting Result in Thousands of Wrongful Deaths

According to a recently released study by the NHTSA, more than 3000 people died last year in car accidents caused by a distracted driver. Generally speaking, distracted driving involves texting or using a cell phone while driving. Incredibly, this means nearly 1 out of every eleven car accident related wrongful deaths was caused by smart phone usage while driving.

While many people believe that using their phone in a “hands free” mode is safe, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that such usage is also considered to be a dangerous distraction. This difference of opinion about what is or is not safe is troubling, as most drivers feel it is safe to use their phone as long as their hands remain on the steering wheel. Such driver opinions will certainly make the government’s efforts to reduce distracted driving difficult.

As personal injury attorneys in Florida who have too often had to help families who have lost loved ones in such distracted driving accidents, we certainly hope the general public recognizes the dangers of distracted driving, and stop using their phones while behind the wheel.