A decade ago no parent could have anticipated texting overtaking drunk driving as the number one threat to the lives of their teens on the road. More deaths of teenagers have been caused by texting than driving, according to reports. How many? 3,000 as a result of texting versus 2,700 resulting from driving drunk. These statistics are undeniably sad and worrisome — many teenagers do not even drink, let alone drive while drunk, but you would be hard pressed to find one that does not text while driving, at least a portion of the time.
Some researchers have said this is due to the fact that access to cell phones is constant while access to alcohol is much more restricted, even if many teens are able to find a way to obtain the drug despite is illegality. If your teen has been in an accident as a result of texting and driving either by another person or themselves, please contact a West Palm Beach car accident attorney now to benefit from our extensive experience regarding these cases.
Dependency on Cell Phones
Simply put, teens depend on their cell phones. Adults can understand this as well, many of them guilty of the same cell phone usage while driving. The truth is, we all enjoy being more connected to our work, friends and family, and using a cell phone in the car is extremely tempting no matter your age. Teenagers, though, often feel more invulnerable and confident behind the wheel, particularly while texting, due to complacency formed by successfully multitasking for many, many miles driven. The U.S. Department of Transportation and the National Highways Traffic Safety Administration has even recently released a promotional series of advertisements telling the stories of families affected by the loss of their teens to texting while driving.
Also Read : Driver Distractions That Pose the Greatest Risk
How to Take Action
Teens are the demographic most endangered by the risks of texting and driving, a statistic that probably surprises nobody, particularly parents. When you are the victim of this type of tragedy it is important to have the accident investigated immediately to find fault. The driver at fault can be held criminally and civilly responsible for any injuries or fatalities. Full compensation is available as a result of lawsuits against individuals deemed responsible. Talk to a car accident attorney in West Palm Beach today.
Contact a West Palm Beach Car Accident Attorney Now
Please do not underestimate the risks associated with texting while driving. In all likelihood your teenager is extremely responsible and knows to keep their cell phone off or safely stowed, such as in the glove compartment, while driving. But what happens when another teenager is not as responsible and your child pays the price for this negligence? A car traveling at 55 mph can cross a football field in 4.6 seconds, and in this amount of time accidents with the worst consequences occur with ease. Do not take this risk, and if you already have been a victim contact Sternberg | Forsythe, P.A. now.