Distracted Driving Car Accidents in Carroll County
Distracted driving consistently ranks as one of the most serious safety concerns affecting drivers. According to a study conducted by the National Safety Council, texting while driving causes 28 percent of all car crashes. Unfortunately, the problem seems to only be getting worse. Nearly half of all drivers say that they feel less safe driving today than they did five years ago. This may be because they recognize that they too are engaging in more dangerous driving behaviors. In fact, for Maryland drivers, distracted driving is a more pressing safety concern than drunk, drugged, or aggressive driving. State accident statistics indicate that as many as half of Maryland car accidents are the result of distracted drivers.
Three Main Types of Distractions
While there are no shortage of distractions drivers one must contend with, all distractions can be classified broadly into three types:
- Manual distractions – Examples include taking your hands away from the wheel to hand something to a child in the back, dig around in a bag on the passenger seat, or retrieve something dropped between the console and the driver’s seat.
- Visual distractions – Examples include taking your eyes from the road to check out an unusual billboard, your cellphone, or looking at others in your vehicle.
- Cognitive distractions – Examples include mentally prepping for the job interview you are headed toward, or daydreaming about your next vacation.
Texting and driving is particularly dangerous because it encompasses all three types of distractions—while texting we take our hands, eyes, and brains off the road.
Laws to Combat Distracted Driving
Many states, including Maryland, have banned texting while driving, pairing the offense with steep fines. Maryland also prohibits drivers from all use of handheld devices while driving. New drivers who are on a graduated license program are banned from using a cell phone while driving, even those with hand-free capabilities. Pursuant to this program, a violation of a distracted-driving law could mean a delayed or suspended license.
On the federal level, the executive branch has issued an order prohibiting federal government employees from texting while driving on government business or with government equipment, and the Federal Railroad Administration banned use of electronic devices by employees on the job. Commercial truckers are also banned from texting and driving nationwide. The laws are even more strict for hazardous materials truckers.
How to Stop Distracted Driving
If you see a friend texting while driving, speak up. Other things you can do to make a difference include getting involved with local school programs to combat texting and driving among teens. Parents must lead by example and never text while driving. Having a talk with teen drivers in your house about the dangers of distracted driving is also helpful. If your state employs a graduated driver licensing system, tell your kids that texting and driving could jeopardize their ability to get a license. Maryland has such a program—the effort is called the “Rookie Driver” program.
If You are Involved in a Distracted Driving Accident
At LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton, we will thoroughly investigate your case to get you the maximum amount of economic and non-economic damages. Some of the damages victims injured by distracted drivers may be entitled to include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning potential
- Medical device bills
- Nursing care
- Compensation for disfigurement and disability
- Compensation for emotional distress and physical pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
Carroll County Distracted Driving Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Fight for Those Injured in Distracted Driving Car Accidents
If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident, and you suspect that the negligent driver was distracted, the experienced Carroll County car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton can help you get answers. To schedule your free and confidential 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 Carroll County, which includes the towns of Hampstead, Manchester, Mount Airy, New Windsor, Sykesville, Taneytown, Union Bridge, and Westminster, Maryland.
