Willens Law Offices Articles Car Accident Attorney: Distracted Driving Cases Remain Underreported

Car Accident Attorney: Distracted Driving Cases Remain Underreported

By Matthew Willens  Feb. 8, 2016 7:28a

Our society has benefited in many ways from technology. With increased information access, people can easily keep in touch with work associates and family or friends across the globe. Still, there is a danger in using technology at inappropriate times, such as while operating a motor vehicle.

Distraction during driving has almost attained the stature of an epidemic in the United States, and the problem is perhaps aggravated with the arrival of newer technologies each month. Use of Mp3 players, navigation systems and cell phones while driving makes you increasingly prone to crashes, and almost all the fifty states in USA considers it illegal. This may be simply the tip of the iceberg since a number of such accidents are not appropriately reported.

In a study reviewing around 180 fatal car accidents in which the driver used their cell phone while driving, it was found that a meager 8% of the accidents were linked to use of hand-held technology or cell phones. Even when there was open admittance of phone usage as a cause of fatal accident, around 50% of the cases stated other factors and causes, hiding the truth behind the crash.

Such underreporting indeed creates a false complacency amongst drivers, particularly the young ones, who are unable to measure the real dangers involved in distracted driving. Presently, officials are sure of the fact that the real crash count that can be attributed to cell phone usage largely surpasses the reported numbers. However, the involvement of cell phones in crashes cannot be validated till open admission is a requisite.

AAA has been researching and updating automakers on this matter for years. Moreover, safety agencies have expressed interest in containing the number of upcoming vehicles fitted with large infotainment systems, voice-driven technologies and other in-car accessories that have the power to distract. In spite of this, the number of cars with such accessories is projected by some industry officials to reach the 60 million mark by 2018. This could mean a further increase in distracted driving, and we could see a surge in Illinois car accidents.

Distracted driving not only puts your life in danger, but also the lives of those around you. A few seconds spent sending an email or checking a text message can mean the difference between life and death.

While authorities across United States are making efforts to curb this menace, however, it is vital that drivers act responsibly and keep all distractions at bay while driving.

If you have been injured by a distracted or negligent driver, you should contact an experienced Chicago car wreck lawyer to pursue a claim for financial compensation. A top-rated free personal injury consultation lawyer at Willens Law Offices can evaluate your claim for free and help you recover the compensation you are entitled to. Call (312) 957-4166 today!

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