Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorney Talks about Why You Need an Attorney

If you have been involved in a Mississippi automobile accident, you might be wondering whether you could try to resolve your claim on your own or whether you should retain an attorney represent you. Most accidents involve substantial damage to one or more vehicles, property damage, and injuries to the people inside of the vehicles. If you are deciding whether to seek assistance from a Mississippi car accident attorney, here are three reasons why you should do so right away.

The first reason to hire an attorney to assist you in resolving your claim is that you could recover more money than you would likely get if you tried to resolve the claim yourself, even after accounting for attorneys’ fees. Automobile accident attorneys know that accident victims need the money that they receive from their insurance settlements to recover from the financial impact of the accident. Your attorney looks out for your best interest, and they will work to obtain the best possible settlement for you.

Another reason to work with an attorney to resolve your car accident claim is that it will save you time. Your life was busy before your accident, and it may be even busier if you have added physical therapy and doctor appointments to your busy calendar. It can be hard to find time to call or email the insurance company.  Also, insurance companies can be slow to respond to emails, and phone calls from accident victims. When your attorney makes calls and writes letters on your behalf, responses come swiftly because the insurance company knows that you will litigate your claim if it is not settled to your satisfaction.

The third reason why you should retain a Mississippi car accident attorney is that insurance companies do not always propose fair settlement offers. Your attorney can help you to know what your claim is worth, which can help you to assess any settlement offers that come in. If an initial settlement offer is inadequate, your attorney can negotiate with the insurance company until the insurance company proposes an acceptable settlement offer.

Barrett Law PLLC:  Support for Mississippi Accident Victims

Automobile accidents can cause severe injury or death. If you were hurt or someone that you love died in a car accident, one or more people may be responsible for your injuries or your loss. To learn more about how we can help you to pursue a claim for damages, please call the Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC today, at 1 (800) 707-9577 to schedule your free, initial consultation.

/by

Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys Discuss Fire Truck Accidents

One firefighter died, and two others were injured after a fire truck got into an accident on the way to a call. The truck was on the way to put out a fire when it rolled over. Rollover accidents like this one are the type of fire truck accident that is the most likely to cause fatalities. Unfortunately, fire truck accidents happen more often than one might like to imagine. The brave men and women who risk their lives to help others are at risk for injury or death in a motor vehicle accident each time they get into a fire truck to respond to a fire call.

There are approximately thirty thousand fire truck accidents in America each and every year, and motor vehicle crashes are the second leading cause of death for on-duty firefighters. Fire truck accidents have the doubly tragic effects of killing and injuring vehicle occupants and allowing losses of life and property that might not have occurred had the fire truck been able to reach its destination and put the fire out.

Unfortunately, some of the injuries and deaths that occur as the result of fire truck accidents are preventable. Data that has been collected by United States Fire Administration and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that firefighters do not often buckle their seatbelts while traveling in fire trucks. Over half of the unrestrained fire truck, occupants who were riding in fire trucks that crashed were partially or fully ejected from the fire trucks that they were riding in, significantly increasing the risk of injury and death. Firefighters can reduce the risk that they will be injured or killed in a fire truck accident by wearing their seatbelts every time they ride in a fire truck.

There are a variety of types of fire apparatus, or fire trucks, which travel over roadways to fire emergencies. There are ladder trucks, fire engines, pumper trucks, aerial platform trucks, tankers, wilderness vehicles, and others. As is the case with any motor vehicle, there is the risk of an accident every time a fire apparatus goes out on the road. Despite the tragic nature of fire truck accidents, there is one piece of encouraging data regarding fire truck accidents. This bit of good news is that ninety percent of all fire truck occupants involved in all fire truck accidents escape without any injuries.

Barrett Law PLLC:  Serving Mississippi Accident Victims and Their Families  

Sometimes, there simply is no way to avoid an automobile accident no matter how careful you are. If you got hurt in a car crash or someone that you love died in a motor vehicle crash, contact a Mississippi Automobile Accident attorney right away. Your attorney can help you to pursue financial recovery for your injuries as you focus your energy on your physical and emotional recovery. The knowledgeable Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC are here to help you. Please call us today, at 1 (800) 707-9577 to schedule a free, initial consultation.

/by

Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys Talk About Single Vehicle Crashes

A recent single-vehicle accident claimed the life of one man. The man was driving his truck, and it suddenly left the roadway and hit a tree. He was not wearing a seatbelt, and he was ejected from the vehicle. This tragedy serves as a reminder that single car accidents are more deadly than other types of accidents.

Approximately sixty-five percent of fatal automobile wrecks are single vehicle crashes. Unfortunately, fatal single-vehicle crashes are also the toughest accidents for accident investigators to understand because the person who had the most information about what happened is deceased.  While the cause of an individual single-vehicle accident can be hard to discern, there is plenty of information available on the topic of how drivers can prevent single vehicle crashes.

For example, scientific evidence has shown that tired drivers drive similarly to drivers who are under the influence of alcohol, For this reason, it is no surprise that tired drivers are often involved in single-vehicle accidents. Getting the rest that you need is a way that you can decrease your risk of being involved in a single vehicle accident. Sometimes, even drivers who started their journey well rested experience fatigue after driving for hours. If you are driving and you begin to get tired, find a place to rest before you continue on your way. Taking that rest break could save your life.

Another frequent cause of single vehicle accidents is alcohol use. Many single-vehicle wrecks occur when a vehicle leaves the roadway and either hits a tree or flips over down an embankment. When a driver has consumed alcohol, their reaction time is slower than normal, and their judgment and depth perception are reduced. When a driver operates their vehicle while they are under the influence of alcohol, it is all too easy for them to misjudge a curve in the road or to fail to make a necessary course correction in time to avoid an accident. Avoiding alcohol use before and during driving significantly reduces your risk of being in a single-vehicle accident.

Distracted driving and speeding are other frequent causes of single-vehicle accidents, and it is not difficult to understand why – those activities take the driver’s attention away from the road and deprive them of valuable time that they may need to avoid an accident. Fortunately, in regards to the common causes of single vehicle accidents, there is a common characteristic that provides an opportunity for drivers to avoid single vehicle accidents – choice. Speeding, driving tired, distracted driving, and drunk driving all happen when a driver makes a choice about what they will do both before and during their drive. This is good news for drivers because it empowers them to make choices that can reduce the chance that they will be involved in a single-vehicle accident.

Barrett Law PLLC:  Serving Mississippi Car Accident Victims and Their Families  

If you lost someone that you love in a one-car accident, or if you got hurt in a one-car crash, you may be able to recover for the loss or damages that you have experienced. The compassionate and experienced Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC help accident victims and their families recover financially after automobile accidents. Please call our office today, at 1 (800) 707-9577 to schedule your free, initial consultation.

/by

Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys Discuss Pile-Up Accidents

A recent nine car pile-up accident left three people dead and several others injured. The cause of the wreck is under investigation. The fiery wreck took hours to clear and serves as a reminder to drivers that accidents can happen quickly and without much time for you to respond to them.

When you drive anywhere, you share the road with other drivers. At some times, there are many drivers on the road with you and at others, there are few. However, it only takes one other vehicle, an animal, and sometimes even no other vehicle at all for an accident to occur. Once an accident occurs on a roadway, there is a danger that other vehicles will become entangled in it if they are unable to avoid it successfully. When one or more vehicles collide with a vehicle or vehicles that were involved in a collision, the result is called a chain reaction accident or a pile-up crash.

There are a few things which increase the likelihood of an accident turning into a pile-up crash. Traffic is one obvious factor because vehicles are traveling close to one another with little time and space for sudden maneuvers. Chain reaction accidents can also happen in bad weather when the road conditions are slippery, and the visibility is poor. Pile-up accidents can be caused by distracted drivers on even the sunniest, driest days of the year.

Fortunately, you can take action to decrease the likelihood that you will be involved in a chain reaction accident. For example, maintaining a keen awareness of your surroundings will go a long way towards giving yourself every opportunity to avoid any obstacle in the roadway, including a wreck. Also, move over whenever you see a vehicle stopped on the road or the shoulder so that you don’t collide with it. Follow other vehicles at an appropriate distance to reduce the risk that you will get caught up in chain reaction accident. Leave a gap of one car length for every ten miles per hour of speed that you are traveling so that you can see what is going on in front of your vehicle and have enough time to respond to it and avoid a collision. Do not forget to adjust your driving to the weather and the road conditions. Remember that fog, rain, sleet, and snow affect both traction and visibility and adjust your speed and driving style accordingly. Paying close attention to road conditions and how you are driving gives you the best possible chance of avoiding a pile-up crash because it gives you more time to respond to things in the roadway like accidents, animals, or traffic that has slowed down or stopped.

Barrett Law PLLC:  Serving Mississippi Car Accident Victims and Their Families  

Sometimes, there simply is not any opportunity to avoid becoming involved in a chain reaction accident no matter how careful you are. If you got hurt in a chain-reaction accident or someone that you love died in a pile-up crash, contact a Mississippi Automobile Accident attorney as soon as you can. Your attorney can accurately assess the amount of damages that you have suffered as a result of your accident, and they can help you to pursue financial recovery as you focus on your physical and emotional recovery. The experienced Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC are here to help you. Please call us today, at 1 (800) 707-9577 to schedule your free, initial consultation.

/by

Mississippi Auto Collision Injury Attorneys Highlight More Forms of Negligence Leading to Traffic-Related Injuries and Fatalities

This blog is the second installment in our two-part blog post reviewing common types of negligence and risk factors that contribute to injury accidents involving motor vehicles.  Although the list of factors that might contribute to a severe crash is virtually endless, this article guides injury victims regarding the most common types of negligent conduct alleged in personal injury claims involving motor vehicle crashes.

Multi-Tasking behind the Wheel: Use of a cell phone when operating a motor vehicle has been referred to by federal traffic safety experts as the “new drunk driving.”  While states vary in the degree to which cell phone use behind the wheel is limited, the decision to use a cell phone while driving is dangerous regardless of the activity.  Although text messaging behind the wheel receives the majority of attention, drivers talking on the phone, surfing the web, engaging in social media activity, reading news, and other tasks also pose a significant safety threat to others on Mississippi roadways.  Because of the focus on portable communication devices like cell phones, some motorists fail to consider the risk posed by inattention related to other forms of multi-tasking.  Many accidents also are caused by dealing with children, eating and drinking, adjusting the vehicle stereo, reaching for an object, grooming or applying makeup, and other tasks that divert a driver’s eyes, attention, or hands from an exclusive commitment to driving.

Unscreened Elderly Drivers: While senior citizens constitute the most experienced group of motorists, some physical and mental abilities relevant to safe driving decline with advanced age.  Generally, state licensing authorities do not employ screening practices to identify elderly drivers who can no longer safely operate a motor vehicle.  Per mile traveled, crash fatality rates rise sharply starting at age 70-74 and are at their highest for drivers age 85 and older according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  The CDC reports that 5,570 older adults died in auto accidents and another 214,000 older motorists were treated in emergency rooms during a one-year period.

Aggressive Driving Practices: When drivers neglect prudent driving practices and operate their vehicle in an aggressive manner, aggressive driving practices significantly increase the risk of a collision.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) conducted an analysis of the Fatal Accident Report System (FARS) that revealed 56 percent of fatal crashes over a five-year period involved a behavior associated with aggressive driving.  Speeding was the leading form of aggressive driving and played a factor in nearly 19 percent of fatal crashes involving cars or motorcycles.  The NHTSA defines aggressive driving as engaging in multiple traffic violations that indicate a conscious disregard for the safety of others.  An example of aggressive driving might include a motorist that is weaving through lanes while speeding and following at an unsafe distance.

Dangerous Roads: Many auto collision victims never consider that they could be seriously injured in a crash caused by faulty road design, construction, or maintenance.  When you are injured in a crash caused by an unsafe roadway, you will typically seek compensation against a public entity charged with maintaining the public roadway.  Lawsuits brought against government entities require compliance with special procedures and notice requirements subject to shorter deadlines.  Types of roadway hazards that can cause a crash include:

  • Lack of adequate signage
  • Missing or neglected guardrails
  • Poorly marked roadway drop-offs or lack of barriers
  • Improperly functioning or non-existent traffic signals
  • Unrepaired potholes
  • Inadequate skid resistance
  • Negligently designed or marked construction zones
  • Unmarked sharp grades or roadway dips

If you have been injured in an auto accident in Jackson or the surrounding areas, our Mississippi Auto Collision Injury Attorneys have successfully represented many victims of careless and distracted drivers.  At Barrett Law, we are here to help.  Contact our law firm today at 800-707-9577 to schedule your free consultation, so we can answer any questions you may have regarding filing your claim.

 

 

/by

Jackson Mississippi Car Accident Lawyers Analyze Distracted Driving Claim Filed against Snapchat

The distracted driving crisis has reached epidemic proportions because of the prevalent use of mobile phones by drivers, especially newly licensed motorists.  The focus of law enforcement efforts and legislation aimed at curbing cell phone use by drivers has tended to focus on talking and texting on a mobile phone.  While these might be the most common forms of distractions involving mobile phones, the popularity of social media websites offers a new type of distraction for teen drivers.  A recent lawsuit filed by a person who suffered serious injury when struck by a motorist using Snapchat raises an interesting question about the potential liability of social media website companies for accidents caused by distracted drivers using their “apps.”

A recent example of this issue involves a driver who claims that an 18-year-old teen driver caused the crash because she was using Snapchat at the time of the crash.  The crash victim claims that the other motorist was driving at a reckless speed while using an application called “lens.”  Lens works like a radar gun by ascertaining the speed of a vehicle which is included in the depiction of the driver.  The lawsuit alleges that the Snapchat application encouraged the novice driver to accelerate to approximately 107 miles per hour at the time of the collision based on analysis by an accident reconstruction expert.

As might be expected, the car crash injury lawsuit names the teen driver as a defendant, the lawsuit also targets Snapchat, which is a multibillion-dollar technology company.  According to documents filed in the lawsuit, the plaintiff alleges that the company’s application urged the teen driver to continue accelerating to a dangerous speed.  While motorists ultimately are not compelled to violate the speed limit and drive at a reckless speed, the application provides motivation to engage in this form of unsafe driving by offering awards for drivers who accomplish specific tasks.

In opposing the lawsuit, Snapchat has emphasized that no award has ever been offered for violating the speed limit.  The company also counters that the application specifically warns users about the dangers of distracted driving.  Snapchat contends that the warning screen depicts the following message: “Do NOT Snap and Drive.”

While it is too early to determine the outcome of this lawsuit, evidence revealed during the litigation indicates that the 18-year-old driver posted a Snapchat almost immediately before the accident which left the victim with serious brain damage.  The potential liability of Snapchat is significant given the severity of injuries suffered by the victim, which required a five week period of hospitalization.  Severe brain injuries can result in hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars in medical expenses, supportive care, lost earnings, diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, and other forms of damages.  A company like Snapchat will have the financial resources and insurance coverage to satisfy a judgment or settlement that will far exceed an individual motorist.

Our Jackson Mississippi Car Accident Lawyers recognize the importance of identifying all viable defendants when pursuing an auto accident legal claim.  Even when the liability of the other driver is relatively clear, the other motorist might have insufficient insurance coverage to compensate you fully for your claim.  Our law firm successfully represented many people who have suffered catastrophic injuries in motor vehicle collisions.  At Barrett Law, we are here to help.  Contact our law firm today at 800-707-9577 to schedule your free consultation, so we can answer any questions you may have regarding filing your claim.

 

/by

Mississippi Car Accident Injury Attorneys Discuss Common Causes of Auto Accidents in Mississippi

Although the variety of factors that contribute to serious motor vehicle collisions are almost limitless, a few dangerous driving practices and motor vehicle safety hazards contribute to a disproportionate number of crashes.  Our Jackson car accident lawyers recognize that motorists can reduce their probability of being involved in a serious collision that causes injuries or fatalities with a better awareness of risks and practices to avoid.  A review of the causes below reveals that although millions of people are injured and tens of thousands of people die annually in traffic collision even though most crashes are preventable.

Alcohol (Drug) Impaired Drivers: Motorists with driving abilities impaired by drugs or alcohol cause approximately one in three traffic-related fatalities annually and injury to hundreds of thousands more.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that an alcohol-impaired driver causes an accident approximately every fifty minutes.  While it might be tempting to assume that your risk of being involved in a collision involving an intoxicated driver is relatively low, a third of all motorists will be involved in a collision with an alcohol-impaired driver at some point during their lifetime.  Traffic-related deaths and injuries caused by drunk drivers are especially upsetting because the accidents are so easily prevented.  Nonetheless, statistics provided by MADD indicate that the average driver will operate a motor vehicle eighty times under the influence of alcohol before an initial drunk driving arrest.  The danger posed by drivers impaired by alcohol can hardly be overstated because alcohol and drug intoxication can adversely impact concentration, vision, judgment, reaction time, depth perception, speed estimation, and recognition of spatial relations.

Traveling at an Unsafe Speed: Although many drivers exceed the speed limit on a periodic basis, traveling at an unsafe speed presents a dual threat to roadway safety.  The first safety issue linked to driving too fast is that reaction time for engaging in evasive maneuvers or reducing speed to avoid a collision.  The second safety issue related to speeding is that the force of impact increases with speed.  Whether a driver is traveling at a pace that is unsafe given roadway and traffic conditions or over the posted speed limit, the risk of a crash because of loss of control or inability to react to roadway hazards dramatically increases.  The risk of an injury accident can be even more serious when motorists do not reduce their speed in school zones and the vicinity of construction projects.

Lack of Driving Experience: Teen drivers lack the ability to react instinctively to roadway hazards and other unanticipated situations.  Newly licensed drivers also lack experience dealing with alcohol, driving distractions, and other factors that compromise the driving ability of all motorists.  During a recent one-year period, motor vehicle accidents involving teens claimed the lives of 2,163 teens and resulted in over 243,000 teens being treated in hospital emergency rooms.  In other words, auto accidents claim the lives of six teen drivers per day in the U.S. Certain factors raise the risk of novice drivers being involved in a serious crash including driving after dark and transporting teen passengers.

We invite readers to continue reading Part II of this blog post that provides other examples of the types of conduct that cause many car crashes in Mississippi.  If you have been injured in an auto accident in Jackson or the surrounding areas, our Mississippi Car Accident Injury Attorneys have successfully represented many victims of careless and distracted drivers.  At Barrett Law, we are here to help.  Contact our law firm today at 800-707-9577 to schedule your free consultation, so we can answer any questions you may have regarding filing your claim.

 

 

/by

Mississippi Car Accident Lawyers Discuss Study Indicating Rise of New Forms of Distracted Driving: Selfies & Social Media Activity

While distracted driving has always been a significant cause of car accidents that result in serious injury, cell phones have magnified the danger because of the number of drivers that own these portable communication devices.  Although the majority of drivers are aware that texting on a cell phone is one of the most dangerous forms of distracted driving, people continue to discover new risky practices that endanger those with whom they share the roadways.  A study conducted by AT&T reveals that cell phone distractions go far beyond texting and driving.

While no text message or telephone call is worth causing an auto accident, drivers are finding even less important reasons to endanger the safety of vehicle occupants, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians.  The ATT&T study found the following disturbing results regarding the prevalence of frivolous uses of cell phones while driving:

  • 27 percent of drivers between the ages of 16 and 65 use cell phones for Facebook.
  • 14 percent of drivers use cell phones for Twitter.
  • 30 percent of motorists admitted using their cell phone to tweet “all the ”
  • 28 percent surf the web.
  • Over 10 percent use Snapchat and Instagram.
  • 17 percent use their cell phone to take selfies.
  • More than 10 percent video chat with Skype or other apps.

AT&T conducted the study to promote awareness regarding the risk of using portable electronic devices while driving.  Despite past public awareness campaigns, more than 62 percent of drivers continue to report that they keep their cell phone within reach when driving.  Further, 22 percent of drivers admit using their cell phone for social networking while operating a motor vehicle.

The vast majority of the public condemns drinking and driving as unacceptable because of the toll drunk drivers exact in accident-related injuries and fatalities.  However, an increase in new types of mobile phone uses while driving suggests that people might still have a more tolerant view of distracted driving.

This more accepting attitude is alarming given that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that texting while driving is six times more dangerous than alcohol-impaired driving.  Motorists engage in multi-tasking behavior while driving approximately half the time they spend behind the wheel according to the NHTSA.  This failure of motorists to focus all of their attention on their driving leads to a million accidents, including 16 percent of fatal accidents annually based on data from the agency.

When a distracted driver who is using a cell phone rear-ends a vehicle stopped for traffic, drifts into an adjacent lane, or otherwise causes a collision, the distracted driver can be liable for causing injury to others.  Victims of distracted drivers should seek legal advice promptly following a collision because distracted driving can be difficult to prove.  Texting on a cell phone might be proven by obtaining cell phone records from a phone carrier.  Other types of use of a cell phone such as selfies, social media posts, and similar activities might be established through the effective use of discovery tools and an investigation.

If you have been injured in a car accident in Jacksonville or the surrounding areas, our Mississippi Car Accident Lawyers have successfully represented many victims of negligent drivers.  At Barrett Law, we are here to help.  Contact our law firm today at 800-707-9577 to schedule your free consultation, so we can answer any questions you may have regarding filing your claim.

 

 

/by

Mississippi Traffic Accident Lawyers Discuss Side of the Road Crash Involving Highway Patrol Officer

Most drivers have passed a police officer interacting with motorists pulled over for a traffic violation.  Because motorists see vehicles stopped on the side of the road so frequently, drivers might have a tendency to view the situation as routine.  However, an officer with the Mississippi Highway Patrol recently experienced the potential danger involved in this scenario.  The officer and his K-9 suffered injuries after a motorist collided with the patrolman’s squad car parked on the shoulder of Mississippi 45 in Tupelo, MS.  Although the officer and his K-9 were both injured, they were expected to make a full recovery.

While this story had a happy ending, shoulder of the road accidents frequently cause severe and permanent injuries.  Road shoulder accidents usually occur because a motorist with car trouble is stranded or a worker is fulfilling job duties.  A flat tire, mechanical problems, blowout, or traffic stop might stand a motorist.  Workers most typically injured in these dangerous crashes include law enforcement officers, tow truck drivers, construction crews, emergency responders, etc.

The edge of the roadway does not provide a safe environment for workers or drivers experiencing mechanical problems.  Drivers approaching vehicles on the shoulder often fail to allow enough room when passing.  When a stranded or stopped motorist is outside of a vehicle dealing with maintenance, repair, or traffic violation issues, the risk of a fatal collision or catastrophic injury rises because of the human body’s proximity to traffic without any form of protection from impact.

Many states have passed “Move Over” laws to reduce the risk of shoulder accidents.  These laws generally require that drivers take the reasonable precaution of scooting over to an adjacent lane when emergency responders are present on the side of the road.  The Mississippi Move Over statute directs motorists traveling on interstate highways in the direction of an emergency vehicle to vacate the lane closest to the emergency vehicle.  If traffic conditions make it unsafe to change to an adjacent lane, drivers are supposed to reduce their speed and be prepared to stop.  When a motorist observes an emergency vehicle on the shoulder of the roadway with flashing lights, the law requires drivers to slow down and proceed with caution.

Although Mississippi’s Move Over law does not extend to stranded motorists and public works employees working on the shoulder, prudent motorists must keep in mind that these individuals also are vulnerable.  Drivers should strive to leave sufficient space in the event a vehicle occupant exits a car parked on the side of the road and attempts to walk around the vehicle.

When drivers violate Move Over laws or fail to exercise reasonable caution to avoid hitting vehicles or pedestrians on the shoulder of the road, their negligent conduct might justify financial compensation.  If you have been injured in a road shoulder accident in Jacksonville or the surrounding areas, our Mississippi Traffic Accident Lawyers have successfully represented many victims of negligent motorists.  At Barrett Law, we are here to help.  Contact our firm today at 800-707-9577 to schedule your free consultation, so we can answer any questions you may have regarding filing your claim.

/by

Study Indicates Rise of New Forms of Distracted Driving: Selfies & Social Media Activity

While distracted driving has always been a significant cause of car accidents that result in serious injury, cell phones have magnified the danger because so many people own mobile phones that perform an expanding array of “apps”. Although the majority of drivers are aware that texting on a cell phone is one of the most dangerous forms of distracted driving, people continue to discover new risky practices that endanger those with whom they share the roadways. A study conducted by AT&T reveals that cell phone distractions go far beyond texting and driving.

While no text message or telephone call is worth causing an auto accident, drivers are finding even less important reasons to endanger the safety of vehicle occupants, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. The AT&T study found the following disturbing results in terms of the prevalence of frivolous uses of cell phones while driving:

  • 27 percent of drivers between the ages of 16 and 65 use cell phone for Facebook
  • 14 percent of drivers use cell phones for Twitter
  • 30 percent of motorists admitted using their cell phone to tweet “all the time”
  • 28 percent surf the web
  • Over 10 percent use Snapchat and Instagram
  • 17 percent use their cell phone to take selfies
  • Over 10 percent video chat with Skype or other apps

AT&T conducted the study to promote awareness regarding the risk of using portable electronic devices while driving. Despite past public awareness campaigns, more than 62 percent of drivers continue to report that they keep their cell phone within reach when driving. Further, 22 percent of drivers admit using their cell phone for social networking while operating a motor vehicle.

The vast majority of the public condemns drinking and driving as unacceptable because of the toll drunk drivers exact in terms of accident-related injuries and fatalities. However, the growth in new types of cell phone use while driving suggests that people might still have a more tolerant view of distracted driving.

This more accepting attitude is alarming given that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that texting while driving is six times more dangerous than alcohol impaired driving. Motorists engage in multi-tasking behavior while driving approximately half the time they spend behind the wheel. This failure of motorists to focus all of their attention on their driving leads to a million accidents, including 16 percent of fatal accidents annually.

When a distracted driver who is using a cell phone rear-ends a vehicle stopped for traffic, drifts into an adjacent lane, or otherwise causes a collision, the distracted driver can be liable for causing injury to others involved in the collision. Victims of distracted drivers should seek legal advice promptly following a collision because distracted driving can be difficult to prove. Although texting on a cell phone can be proven by obtaining cell phone records from a phone carrier, some cell phone activity can be more difficult to establish. Selfies, social media posts, and similar activities may create evidence that can be obtained by an experienced Mississippi personal injury attorney.

If you have been injured in a traffic accident in Jacksonville or the surrounding areas of Mississippi, our Mississippi Auto Accident Lawyers have successfully represented many victims of distracted drivers in obtaining compensation for their injuries. At Barrett Law, we are here to help. Contact our firm today at 800-707-9577 to schedule your free consultation, so we can answer any questions you may have regarding filing your claim.

 

 

 

/by