Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers: Communication Apps

According to statistics released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this past summer, there was a 7.2 percent increase in fatal car accidents in 2015 compared to the previous year, a jump that is higher than it has been in the past 50 years. Unfortunately, the fatalities include almost every type of vehicle on the road, including SUVs, trucks, passenger cars, and motorcycles. Considering the fact that, previous to 2015, the numbers of car accident fatalities were steadily decreasing for the past 10 years, officials have been looking into the causes of this rise in crashes.

While statistics from 2015 were troubling, 2016 had even more car accidents. Researchers have found that the widespread use of social media apps that allow drivers to record, post, and stay connected are partly responsible for the increased number of car accidents. The following are just a few examples:

• Snapchat allows drivers to post pictures of the speed at which he or she is driving.
• Waze is a navigation app that rewards drivers who post the locations of traffic jams or car accidents.
• Bluetooth lets drivers connect their phone to the car so that they have the option to talk via a hands-free device.

Auto safety experts believe that these new apps, as well as the ongoing problem of talking and texting while driving, are taking too many drivers’ attention off the road. As a result, there has been a surge in car accidents. According to Deborah Hersman, President of the National Safety Council (NSC) and the former head of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), many of the new technologies are intended to prevent driver distraction. Unfortunately, they are doing the opposite. Even using a hands-free phone can cause a driver to be mentally distracted.

Distracted Driving Impacts a Driver’s Ability to React

 The NSC released a study that looked at how the brain functions when it is forced to accomplish more than one task at a time. The research showed that when a person’s brain has to react to multiple tasks, it impacts its ability to react quickly. For example, if a driver is trying to focus on the road while using his Bluetooth device, if another car swerves in front of him, his brain may not allow his to react quickly enough to avoid a car accident. Essentially, the brain cannot do two or more things with an equal amount of focus and attention.

In response to this issue, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has promised to encourage states to enforce stricter regulations when it comes to impaired or distracted driving. In addition, they will continue to support the development of driverless cars, which will hopefully reduce the number of crashes since they do not rely on a human to navigate the vehicle.

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

 If you have been seriously injured in an accident involving a distracted driver, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Maryland car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton have the experience and dedication needed to pursue the maximum compensation you deserve. We will not stop fighting until justice has been served. For 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 victims of car accidents 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, Parkville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.