Distracted driving accounts for roughly 25% of all car accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than ten million drivers are using a cell phone at any given time on the road. This is a dangerous habit that has many states enacting strict laws in an effort to cut down on unnecessary injuries and even deaths from distracted driving.
As of this year, almost every state has some sort of regulation regarding distracted driving. 29 states prohibit texting while driving, including Massachusetts, and seven states prohibit the use of cell phones while driving altogether. In states that prohibit texting while driving or other distracted driving, engaging in these activities can lead to both civil and criminal litigation.
In Massachusetts, it is illegal for anyone to engage in texting while driving. This includes reading, sending, or accessing electronic messages, even while stopped in traffic. Massachusetts drivers are allowed to talk on a cell phone while driving, but only if older than 18 and if they don’t hold a permit or provisional license. Some states lump these offenses into a “distracted driving” law. Distracted driving can include driving while engaged in any of the following activities:
While not all of these offenses are punishable by law in all states, they all create an environment that is not conducive to safe driving. In 2013, 424,000 people were injured in car accidents resulting from distracted driving. 3,154 additional people were killed in the same type of accident. Distracted driving is, unfortunately, one of the most common reasons for car accidents, and states across the nation are doing everything they can to cut down on its occurrence.
If you have been in an accident resulting from another driver who was engaged in distracted driving, you may be eligible to seek compensation for a number of expenses. Though distracted driving is not an automatic indicator of negligence, it can be used to bolster your case. To seek compensation in a personal injury case, you must prove the other person acted in a negligent manner that directly resulted in the sustained injury. Distracted driving can definitely be considered a contributing factor. Contact a competent personal injury attorney today to see if you are eligible to receive compensation.
When filing a personal injury lawsuit, the state of Massachusetts allows for victims of car accidents to seek compensation for economic and non-economic damages. They are divided in the following manner:
If you have been injured in a distracted driving car accident or truck accident and are considering a personal injury suit, contact the offices of Sweeney Merrigan Law as soon as possible. Though the state of Massachusetts allows for a statute of limitations of up to three years, contacting a competent attorney sooner will help you build a stronger case. Based out of Boston, the Boston personal injury attorneys at Sweeney Merrigan Law serve clients throughout Massachusetts. We provide effective representation to each and every one of our clients and will fight aggressively to get you the compensation you need to get your life back on track.