How Cell Phones Have Made Driving More Dangerous

Monday, January 3, 2022

How Cell Phones Have Made Driving More Dangerous

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

The use of cell phones has become an integral part of life so much that even small children can’t do without them. The rise in popularity and use of cell phones has also increasingly made life more dangerous, especially on the roads, with people using the devices while driving and often causing serious or even deadly accidents. Anyone injured in this type of crash should consult with a Chicago cell phone accident lawyer right away. 

Why Cell Phone Use and Driving Is More Dangerous

An alarming number of car and truck accidents are directly linked to driving while distracted, and the use of cell phones while driving is the leading cause of these distracted driver accidents that leads to injuries and death. 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving was responsible for nine percent of fatalities in 2019 in the United States. In 2019, more than 3,100 people were killed in accidents attributed to distracted driving, and an estimated 400,000 people were injured in crashes involving distracted driving in 2018. About 26,000 people lost their lives between 2012 and 2019 because of distracted driving. 

These are alarming statistics and even more sobering given the fact handheld cell phone use tends to be highest among 16 to 24-year-old drivers, according to NHTSA’s National Occupant Protection Use Survey (PDF). 

What You Can Do

Heed Warnings: Every new driver learns or is told before getting a driver’s license all the dos and don’ts of driving, and one of those is certainly not texting or otherwise using your cell phone while driving. Even those drivers who obtained their driver’s licenses long before the proliferation of cell phones know about the dangers of distracted driving. Just make sure you heed the warnings about the dangers of using a phone while driving and just keep your device off or out of reach for the duration of your drive. 

Lead by example: Never text while driving unless it is an emergency. Yes, it is tempting, and there may be occasions where texting or talking on the phone may be unavoidable, but, in those situations, if you must text or talk on the phone, just pull over to a safe place first to keep you and others on the road safe.

Be proactive: One cannot repeat or emphasize enough about the dangers of distracted driving – especially caused by the use of cell phones while driving. Talk to your driving-age family members and friends about the importance of driving without distractions. 

Damages in a Distracted Driving Car Accident Claim

If you have been injured in an accident caused by a driver who was distracted by using a cellphone, you can seek and obtain compensation for the full value of your damages, such as:

• Past, current, and future medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Anticipated loss of benefits and earning capacity
• Rehabilitation costs
• Any home modifications required to support a new disability
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Property loss or damage, such as vehicle repairs

Speak With a Chicago Cell Phone Accident Lawyer

At Malman Law, we have experienced Chicago cell phone accident lawyers ready to help. Contact us today to discuss how we can assess and protect your rights.