This summer, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration projected over 9,500 traffic deaths across the nation in the first quarter of 2022, making this the deadliest start to a year on U.S. roadways in twenty years. Many of those crashes were related to one of the riskiest behaviors a driver can engage in – distracted driving.
According to Virginia Highway Safety Office statistics from 2017 to 2021, on average, a crash occurred every 4.4 minutes, leaving 2.7 lives lost per day because of traffic crashes and 161 persons injured daily. As to injuries caused by distracted driving, there was a 9.0% increase in 2021 over 2020. The top three categories for distracted driving in 2021 were: (1) eyes not on road, (2) looking at a roadside incident, and (3) cell phone/texting. Of those three, cell phone use is a particularly alarming trend.
Distracted Driving and Cell Phones
Aside from a few limited circumstances, Virginia prohibits all drivers from using handheld cell phones while driving. Handheld cell phone use, whether for texting, talking, or otherwise, is a dangerous distraction that is illegal in Virginia, and doing so not only subjects the user to the possibility of a traffic ticket, it also puts everyone else on the road at risk.
Conclusion
If you have been injured due to the carelessness of a distracted driver, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Our firm is experienced in handling personal injury cases arising from injuries or fatalities due to distracted drivers.
Our firm has been representing the people of Hampton Roads in auto accidents and other injury cases since 1955. If you have been hurt in a car accident due to the negligence of someone else, give us a call, and put our experience to work for you.
Click here for Frequently Asked Questions about auto accidents, personal injury, and more. For a personal injury attorney, please contact us at (757) 486-2700.
About Preston, Wilson & Crandley, PLC
Our personal injury attorneys handle injury claims ranging from minor sprains and strains to catastrophic brain injuries and wrongful death claims. Moreover, our firm has been successfully representing people in injury cases in Virginia since 1955. Give us a call and put our experience to work for you.
For a Personal Injury Attorney please contact us at (757) 486-2700.
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