Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers: “Textalyzer” to Prevent Distracted Driving
November 18, 2016After tragically losing his son in a car accident caused by a distracted driver, the victim’s father, Ben Lieberman, was determined to come up with a solution that would hold distracted drivers accountable for their actions. Frustrated that the driver responsible for his son’s wrongful death never faced criminal charges, Lieberman realized that there is not a test that police can use to determine whether a driver was using their phone at the time of a crash. To address this problem, he partnered with mobile forensics company Cellebrite to develop a technology similar in concept to the Breathalyzer, but that can determine if a driver has been texting while driving. Maryland personal injury lawyers report that this new technology could prove to be instrumental in saving lives and determining liability in car accidents.
The Textalyzer provides police with a valuable tool that will enable them to confirm whether a driver was using their phone when the crash occurred. An officer would simply connect the person’s phone to a laptop or other device, giving them access to the user’s usage, and whether he or she was typing or using the touch screen at the time of the crash.
Privacy Issues
Jim Grady, chief executive office of Cellebrite Inc., said that they are aware that privacy concerns are an issue for some, but the technology is designed to protect the privacy of the user. According to Grady, the technology will focus on the usage, not the content. Lieberman also responded to this concern by saying the content of a driver’s texts are of no concern to him. It is the act of texting while driving that needs to stop, and the Textalyzer can help.
Legislation called Evan’s Law, named for Lieberman’s son, is currently under review and, if approved, it would be the first law of its kind in the United States. Similar to the Breathalyzer, if a driver refuses to submit to a Textalyzer test, he or she could lose their driver’s license. Lieberman believes that although the Textalyzer will not solve the problem overnight, it is a step in the right direction. As more drivers are caught and face stiff penalties for using their phones while driving, behavior may start to change.
Too many people still think nothing is going to happen to them just by sending a quick text. There is not the same stigma associated with distracted driving as there is with drinking and driving. However, it can be just as dangerous, and the laws are starting to reflect that.
Maryland Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Help Victims of Distracted Driving
If you have been injured in a car accident involving a distracted driver who was texting, you are urged to contact the Maryland personal injury lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton as soon as possible. Distracted driving continues to be a serious problem, and we will work tirelessly to protect your rights and hold the negligent parties responsible for their actions. We will not stop until we secure the maximum financial compensation you deserve. 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 medical malpractice throughout 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.