Distracted driving has become an ever-growing threat to drivers in North Carolina. Due mostly to the vast leaps and bounds made by cellular technology, North Carolina drivers are growing more and more threatened each day on its roadways.
According to a recent study done by the United States Department of Transportation, just glancing at your phone for just a couple of seconds while driving at a speed of 55 miles per hour is the equivalent to driving the length of a football field while being blindfolded.
With the ever-growing number of apps and features available on cellular phones, this is a temptation whose risk just keeps on growing. If you have been injured in a car accident that you feel may have been caused by distracted driving, reach out to a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
North Carolina Distracted Driver Accident Statistics
In 2014, the North Carolina Department of Transportation gathered statistics that showed the following:
- 49,257 North Carolina crashes involved distracted drivers
- 11.7% of North Carolina car accident deaths are from distracted drivers
- 26,680 injuries were caused by distracted motorists in North Carolina
- 24.1% of North Carolina car accidents resulting in injury are from distracted drivers
- 150 fatalities in North Carolina resulted from distracted driving accidents
- 21.7% of North Carolina car accidents were a result of distracted driving
Causes of Distracted Driving
Use of mobile phones and performing actions such as texting or sending emails are extremely common causes of distracted driving accidents, there are also other examples of distracted driving, such as:
- Eating and/or drinking behind the wheel
- Changing your radio station/MP3 player/CD changer
- Talking to passengers/turning your head away from the road
- Watching a video
- Basic grooming functions, like applying lipstick or brushing your hair
- Using a navigation system while behind the wheel
- Reading maps, etc. while driving
North Carolina Laws on Distracted Driving
- School bus drivers are not allowed to use mobile devices for any non-emergency reason while driving
- Adults are legally permitted to speak on their mobile devices while driving
- It is illegal for drivers under the age of 18 to use a mobile device while driving, except in emergencies or to call their parents
- It is illegal for adult drivers to text or email while the car is in motion
If you or someone that you love has been injured as the result of a car accident that you think may have been caused by distracted driving, then you need to seek immediate legal representation. An experienced personal injury attorney will know which course of action is the best to take for the best outcome of your case. Don’t sit around wondering what you should do next.
The personal injury attorneys at Nye Law Group have the experience and the dedication that you need to win your case. Do not speak to the insurance companies or sign any papers without speaking to a qualified personal injury attorney or you could negatively affect the outcome of your case.
Don’t add the stress of serious financial burdens on top of everything else that you are dealing with after a car accident. We seek the maximum amount in damages that you are entitled to under North Carolina law. For a free consultation, please reach out to Nye Law Group by calling (912) 200-5230 and speaking to a personal injury attorney today.