Cell Phone Accident

Life today can be incredibly fast-paced, with individuals rushing to and from jobs, appointments, meals, and meetings. As such, many choose to use cell phones to talk and text while driving in order to accomplish several tasks at once. In Washington, hand-held cell phone use and texting while driving are illegal. Unfortunately, many still choose to break these laws, often leading to serious and even fatal distracted driving accidents in Washington. In addition, even hands-free cell phone use creates plenty of distractions for drivers today.

There are three main types of distraction that a driver can fall victim to, all of which have their own dangers and can result from use of a cell phone while driving. These types of distractions are:

• Cognitive – This involves a driver taking his or her mind off the road and thinking about a different subject entirely. By talking to someone on the phone, dialing a number, texting, or focusing on an incoming call or text message, a driver stops paying attention to what he or she is doing and does not pay attention to possible hazards.
• Visual – When a driver looks at something else besides the road and their surroundings, either partially or completely. A driver will not be able to see hazards, changes in traffic, and changes in the road when he or she looks at a text message, views information on an incoming call, or views applications on a smart phone.
• Manual – The driver takes his or her hand or hands off the wheel and uses them to perform another task. When drivers use one or both hands to text, dial a number, use an application, or otherwise interact with their phone, they do not have full control of the car, leading to a possible loss of control or inability to avoid an accident.

Any of these behaviors are both irresponsible and reckless. If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash caused by another driver performing such actions, a Seattle cell phone auto accident attorney at Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. can help you win the compensation you deserve for your losses. Call our offices today at (888) 228-3860.

The National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) recent recommendation to ban all cell phone use while driving is already facing skepticism in many states, according to a recent article in The Washington Post.

One of the states shying away from a complete ban is Missouri, where a 2010 crash caused by a cell-phone-chatting 19-year-old in a pickup truck involved a tractor-trailer and two school buses, and caused multiple deaths and injuries. Since the crash, Missouri has had bills introduced in its state legislature to ban cell phone use behind the wheel. The bills were filibustered.

Missouri isn’t the only state that’s questioning whether a complete ban on cell phone use – even with hands-free devices – by drivers is necessary or wise. Both Idaho and South Dakota have avoided legislating a ban on cell phone use, even though South Dakota’s legislature has participated in campaigns to encourage drivers not to become distracted by electronic devices while they’re behind the wheel.

Currently, 25 states ban texting while driving, while 9 states and the District of Columbia ban hand-held cell phone use while driving. Cell phones are considered a major contributor in distracted driver accidents nationwide. If the NTSB’s recommendation becomes law, it will prohibit drivers from using cell phones in any way while driving, unless the situation is an emergency.

Cell phone use, especially texting, has been linked to a large increase in crashes caused by drivers whose attention is divided between their phone and the road. At Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S., our experienced Washington cell phone car accident attorneys are dedicated to helping those who are injured in crashes caused by distracted drivers. To learn more about your legal rights and options after a crash, call us today at 888-228-3860.

In June 2010, Washington’s legislature made a law that prohibited sending texts or emails on a cell phone while driving into a primary offense, meaning that police could ticket people who violated the law without first having to stop them for another violation, like an illegal lane change or a broken taillight. Since the change a year ago, the Washington State Patrol has issued 6,850 tickets to drivers violating the law, a huge increase from the 1,344 tickets issued before texting became a primary offense.

The law also prohibits holding a cell phone to one’s ear while driving, though drivers can talk on their phones if they use a hands-free device. Drivers who are under age 18 may not use a cell phone in any way while driving, even if it is hands-free.

The 6,850 tickets given for violating the cell phone driving laws made up 47 percent of the drivers who were pulled over for texting or holding the phone in order to talk, according to the Washington State Patrol. This percentage is slightly lower than the year before, when 50 percent of drivers who were pulled over and found to be on the phone were ticketed. These numbers aren’t much different from the percentage of drivers who are given tickets for violating other traffic laws, except for drunk drivers, whom the Washington State Police say are ticketed 100 percent of the time.

Distracted driving results in thousands of accidents in Washington each year, many of which prove to be fatal. If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident caused by a distracted driver, the experienced Washington cell phone car accident attorneys at Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. are ready to help. Call us today at 888-228-3860 for a free and confidential consultation.