Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers: Deadly Driving Distractions

The automotive industry has made significant advancements in safety technology over the years, from seat belts and airbags, to collision warning systems and rollover prevention technology. Yet, the number of accident-related deaths is the highest it has been in close to a decade. Last year alone, approximately 40,000 people died in car accidents. Officials believe that the rise in highways deaths is due to a combination of more drivers on the road coupled with the disturbing rise in distracted driving.

According to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), close to four million out of the approximately 11 million crashes that occur each year in the United States could have been avoided if the driver was not distracted. The problem has become so concerning that an automotive expert, such as Safe Auto’s Mike LaRocco, are calling the distracted driving problem an epidemic. People simply cannot resist looking at their phone when they get a text or an incoming call. Unfortunately, when a driver reaches for their mobile device while driving at a speed of 70 miles per hour, it only takes a matter of seconds for a wreck to occur.

The NAS compiled a list of the top five distractions that cause too many fatalities on highways across the country.

1. Operating the vehicle’s sound system while driving. With the advanced stereo systems in most cars, including the ability to connect cell phones and iPods to the vehicle’s sound system, a driver has to concentrate on more knobs and buttons than ever before. This distraction can double the risk of a car accident. 
2. Using the vehicle’s touchscreen menu. Almost every newer vehicle comes equipped with a touchscreen. Regardless of how skilled a driver is at using a touch-screen, this distraction increases the risk of a crash by a factor of 4.6.
3.  Texting while driving. It is common knowledge that texting while driving is a bad idea. However, people continue to do it on a widespread basis, particularly teenage drivers who want to remain connected with their friends. Unfortunately, an accident is 6.1 times more likely to occur when the driver is texting while driving.
4.  Reaching for a cell phone or some other object. When a driver reaches for something, especially if the object has slid off the passenger seat, not only are his or her eyes off the road, but the driver’s body is out of position, which can be disorienting. The NAS gave this a factor of nine on the likely accident scale.
5.  Placing a 10-digit call on a cell phone. This may come as a surprise, but the time it takes to dial a 10-digit number on a cell phone is the greatest distraction, according to the NAS. In fact, it has a car accident risk factor of 12.2, which is the highest of the distractions observed. The National Safety Council reported that cell phones were responsible for approximately 26% of all wrecks.

Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Represent Victims of Distracted Driving

Distracted driving continues to be a major problem on highways across the country. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a car accident involving a distracted driver, you may be entitled a compensation. Our Baltimore car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton will thoroughly investigate your case to determine who is responsible for your injuries. Our dedicated team will work tirelessly to secure the maximum financial compensation you deserve. To schedule a free consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.

Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent car accident victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.