Car Accidents Due to Cell Phone Use
There are over 260 million cell phone accounts in the United States alone – nearly one for every person. Considering that most of these cell phone users also use automobiles on a regular basis, it is no wonder that we are seeing more and more car accidents that are caused by driver distraction due to cell phone use.
Current statistics place the number of car accidents caused by cell phone use (link to new web page) as high as 25 percent. This number is only expected to rise in years to come as cell phones become more commonplace. A recent survey by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company found that nearly three-quarters of drivers use cell phones while driving and 20 percent send text messages while driving.
Despite these statistics, there are only a handful of states (California, Washington, Connecticut, Utah, New York, New Jersey and Washington D.C.) that have banned the use of hand-held cell phones while operating a motor vehicle. Alabama currently has no such law. However, if you have been injured in an auto accident caused by another motorist’s cell phone use, you may be able to sue for damages if you can prove the other driver liable. Proving liability can be a challenge in these cases, but we have handled several of them successfully.
If you live in Pennsylvania and have been in a car accident due to someone else's negligence or wrongdoing, please contact Pomerantz Perlberger & Lewis, LLP today.
