Distracted Driving Car Accidents in Baltimore City
In today’s society, many people feel pressured to multitask around the clock. This is becoming a major problem for motorists and pedestrians in Baltimore City, where distracted drivers are causing an alarming number of wrecks resulting in severe injuries and even deaths. Although distracted driving can be just as dangerous as driving drunk, many people do not view these two behaviors as equally reprehensible—and that is part of the problem.
Research shows that texting while driving increases the likelihood of a car accident by 23 times. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, around half a million car crashes are caused by distracted driving each year—and the number continues to rise. Most of these incidents involve the use of a cell phone. In Maryland alone, over 50,000 accidents are caused by distracted drivers every year. Although texting and driving accidents occur nationwide, most of these car accidents occur in the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. metropolitan areas.
Types of Driver Distractions
Many people are reluctant to admit that they text and drive. Unfortunately, studies reveal that a dangerously high number of people do this and more while driving. There are three main types of distracted driving:
- Cognitive distractions. Most people are not aware of the dangers of cognitive distractions, defined as any mental task that allows a driver’s mind to wander off the task of driving.
- Manual distractions. These distractions involve tasks that require the driver to take his or her hands away off the steering wheel. Examples of manual distractions include changing the radio station, eating, or putting on makeup.
- Visual distractions. These types of distractions take a driver’s eyes off the road. Visual distractions include looking in the back seat to check on children or looking at someone sitting in the passenger seat.
Although all these things are distracting, texting and driving is the most dangerous because it involves all three types of distraction. Sending or reading a text message takes five seconds on average. During that time, a car traveling at 55 miles per hour can cover the length of an entire football field.
Risk Factors for Distracted Driving
While it is reasonable to expect that all drivers will contend with some level of distraction during their daily commute, studies show that some drivers may be more at risk of being involved in a distracted driving car accident than others. Specifically, drivers under the age of 20 are far more likely to be involved in a fatal crash caused by distracted driving than those in other age groups. Even more troubling, surveys reveal that students who frequently text and drive are more likely to ride with a drunk driver, or drink and drive themselves.
Recovering Compensation After a Distracted Driving Accident
If you, or someone you love, has been seriously injured or killed by a distracted driver, you may be entitled to compensation for both economic and non-economic damages, including:
- Cost of medical assistance (nursing)
- Cost of medical devices
- Diminished earnings capacity
- Disability
- Disfigurement
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Lost earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Past and future medical bills
- Rehabilitation
Proving liability in a distracted driving accident can be challenging, especially if the driver at fault does not admit to driving while distracted. Evidence that may help to establish fault may include cell phone records and eye witness testimony.
Car Accident Lawyers in Baltimore City at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Obtain Compensation for Victims of Distracted Driving Car Accidents
If you or someone you love has been injured at the hands of a distracted driver, we can help you get answers. Schedule a free consultation with the experienced and highly skilled Baltimore City car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton today by calling 800-547-4LAW (4529) or by contacting us online.
