The Risks of Texting and Driving

Texting and driving has become a serious problem in the United States, especially amongst teen drivers. In March 2017, Texas passed a state law prohibiting texting while driving, a move that highlights what a big problem this is in our state. While the law was met with controversy at the House level, it inevitably passed, turning the focus to police officers and their now-duty to ticket texting drivers. While many argued it is difficult – if not impossible – to determine if a driver is texting, those in support of the bill won out, highlighting the dangers of texting and driving.

The Brownville personal injury attorneys at Green Law Firm are committed to representing those who have been involved in an accident with a driver who was texting. If you or a loved one was injured in an accident by a texting driver, we encourage you to contact us today. Our experienced personal injury attorneys understand how devastating texting and driving accidents can be and are prepared to do everything in our power to ensure justice is served. The number of accidents caused by drivers who are distracted by their mobile phones is alarming, as you will see from the statistics below. We are here to answer any questions you may have about the risks of texting and driving or what your legal rights are in the event you have been injured by a driver who was texting.

Statistics on Texting and Driving in the U.S.  

Smartphones are everywhere these days, making it incredibly easy for us to stay in communication with one another at all times. While this is undoubtedly a good thing, it also poses serious safety risks for those who choose to use their phone while driving. Many people think it is no big deal to simply glance down and read a text message, but taking your eyes from the road for even just a matter of seconds can prove deadly. Smartphones have resulted in the number of accidents caused by distracted driving to increase dramatically. Here is a look at some of the most shocking statistics on texting and driving in the U.S. to help you better understand what a serious problem this is:

• According to the National Safety Council, smartphone use while driving leads to 1.6 million accidents every single year
• Approximately 330,000 injuries happen every year as a result of drivers who text
• 1 out of every 4 accidents in the U.S. are caused by texting and driving
• Drivers who text are 6 times more likely to cause an accident than those who drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Answering a text message pulls a driver’s attention from the road for about 5 seconds, which is enough time to travel the length of a football field if traveling at 55 mph
• 9 Americans are killed every day from accidents involving distracted drivers, such as texting
• 40% of teens say they have been a passenger in a car where the driver is texting or otherwise using their smartphone in a way that put them in danger
• 46 states in the United States (including Texas and Puerto Rico) have made texting while driving illegal

To learn more about the risks of texting while driving, please contact Green Law Firm today. Our Rio Grande Valley personal injury attorneys are here to answer any questions you may have and help you better understand your rights as a victim of an accident with a distracted driver.