Can Texting While Driving Affect My Claim?

Did you know that more than half of all vehicle accidents in the US involve cell phones? Every day, thousands of people are involved in fatal collisions on the road, a number that exceeds one million each year. The age of technology we live in has made car accident reports not only skyrocket but also become more severe. People are so accustomed to having their phones in their hands at all times that they feel comfortable using their phones while driving, too. Unfortunately, no one can drive safely while texting – it simply doesn’t exist. Even if you only text at stop lights, it’s too easy to become distracted enough to have the driver behind you honking for you to go when the light turns green – and you then quickly spring into action, entering the intersection with a distracted mind and potentially not seeing the car to your left who’s running the light.

Texting isn’t the only way drivers become distracted, either. Drivers have also been known to eat, apply makeup, and fiddle with the radio stations while driving, and these actions have all led to numerous accidents. However, advances in technology have created more distractions than ever, with today’s drivers able to text, talk on the phone, play music, and browse the Internet on their phones – all while behind the wheel. This makes it all too easy to cause an accident, even a fatal car accident in NJ.

Consequences of Driving and Texting

In New Jersey, drivers may not text or talk on their phones while driving. It is permissible to use a hands-free device to talk on the phone, however. If you cause a car accident in NJ while you are texting or talking on your phone, you may face severe criminal and civil charges. If you cause a fatal accident, you may be charged with vehicular homicide. Also, anyone else involved in the accident may file civil lawsuits against you as a negligent driver. They may be able to receive financial compensation to cover things such as medical expenses, lost wages, and out-of-pocket expenses such as prescriptions and rental cars, and compensation for their pain and suffering.

Most people who text and drive do not believe they will cause an accident. The more times they text and drive without incident, the more comfortable they become with doing so. In almost every case, the driver did not realize that they could cause a serious accident until it was too late. Don’t take the risk.

If the Other Driver Was Texting

Just as you can be held liable for damage, injury, or loss if you text and drive, so can other drivers. If you have been in a car accident in Newark or a car accident in Irvington or elsewhere in NJ with a driver who was texting or talking on their phone, contact a car accident lawyer at Corradino & Papa as soon as possible. A car accident attorney can help ensure that you receive the maximum compensation by helping prove who was at fault. Contact us today for a consultation.