Cell Phone Use and Car Accidents

    ORLANDO, FL, September 25, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- More than 100 million people use cell phones while driving. Cell phone use while driving, whether talking or texting, is a high risk behavior. Cell phone using drivers are four times more likely to be involved in an automobile accident than someone not distracted by a cell phone.

Cell phone use is responsible for 636,000 car accidents, 330,000 injuries, 2,600 deaths and $43 billion in related costs every year according to the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis..

Using a cell phone while driving is certainly not necessary. Almost all calls or texts are not emergencies and can easily be handled by pulling off the road to a safe place until the call is finished.

Phoning and texting while driving has been proven not to save time, but to increase the time behind the wheel due to the tendency of the driver to exhibit the same behaviors as a drunk driver. The tendency to drive at an uneven speed and to meander in their lane instead of traveling at a steady pace denotes a cell phone using driver as well as one driving under the influence.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that distractions are responsible for 25% of all automobile accidents. Over 80% of all automobile drivers admit to cell phone use at one time or another while driving. The only way to protect yourself from cell phone related automobile accidents is to not use a cell phone while driving.

A cell phone using driver can be charged with negligence. It is important to have the services of a car accident lawyer who has the experience with cell phone related car accident claims, as the laws governing cell phone use while driving are changing daily.

If you absolutely must make or take a cell phone call while driving, follow these few simple rules for safety:
• Use a hands-free cell phone device
• Keep your eyes on the road at all times
• Avoid emotional conversations
• Talk on the cell phone only when absolutely necessary

If you or someone you love was involved in a cell phone related car accident and you live in Orlando, Florida or the surrounding area, please visit the website of The Law Offices of Michael Barszcz, M.D., J.D. today to learn how to protect your legal rights and whether you are entitled to compensation for your injuries.

Website: http://www.themdjd.com

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