Almost everyone has a cell phone nowadays. It is really handy and convenient to be able to pick up a little plastic box and be able to communicate with anyone on the planet. Even more so is the ability to text short messages to people in order to update them on your status, or alert them to any changes. The ease and simplicity of text messaging as a method of communication has revolutionized communication and has had a monumental impact on the daily experience of many people's lives.
Unfortunately, the impact it has had is not always a good one. Because text messaging is convenient and easy and almost everyone can do it, most people do not stop to think that it could possibly be dangerous. Sitting in a room or on a park bench texting someone is perfectly fine, doing the same thing behind the wheel of a car is in fact one of the most dangerous activities a person can do.
Why is texting and driving so dangerous? Well, for a number of important reasons:
Texting takes your mind off the road. Driving requires undivided attention to the conditions on the road. Other drivers, unexpected street conditions, weather and traffic hazards require the driver to make split second decisions about how to proceed. Combine high speed, other motorists and pedestrians with a distracted driver, and you get a recipe for disaster
Texting requires manual dexterity. You need both hands on the wheel in order to drive safely, and having to use fine motor skills to manipulate a device takes your hands off the wheel and to a place where they do not belong. What happens if your tire blows out, and your hands are typing a message to a friend? You won't have time to grip the wheel and prevent an accident, and that puts everyone on the road at risk of serious injury or death.
Texting takes your eyes off the road. Your most important sense while driving is sight. You must be able to see and pay attention to the thousands of different variables that make up a normal driving experience, and you cannot do that if you are distracted by typing out a message on a cell phone or other device.
Unfortunately, many people take for granted their ability to multitask behind the wheel, and feel free to text and drive because they mistakenly believe that their actions have no consequence. This cannot be further from the truth. Currently, 28 states have laws against texting while driving, but it is not uncommon to see people completely disregard the law and the safety of other people and text behind the wheel.
If these distracted drivers cause an accident while texting, they can be held responsible in a court of law for the damage and injury they inflict. In fact, these people can often be sued by their victims so that they can recoup their losses as well as collect settlements for punitive damages.
If you were involved in an accident caused by someone who was texting and driving, you need to consult a personal injury attorney immediately. You may have a case to collect financial compensation for your situation, but if you wait too long the statutes of limitation laws may prevent you from getting the justice you deserve.
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