Pendergast Law Personal Injury Lawyers

Free Consultations  |  Phones Answered 24/7

Pendergast Law Personal Injury Lawyers

Free Consultations  |  Phones Answered 24/7

Committed to helping you heal while we recover.

Apps and Driving Don’t Mix – Look at Rising Accident Rates

On Behalf of | Jun 6, 2017 | Distracted Driving Accident

By Pendergast Law on June 6, 2017

The disturbing news is that accident rates are rising. But the really disturbing news is how fast they’re rising and by what magnitude.

 

Traffic fatalities are also on the rise. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), after steadily declining over the last four decades, the percentage of highway accident fatalities in 2015 had its biggest annual increase in 50 years. Why is this increase in deaths and accidents occurring when motor vehicles have been getting safer for years?

Who’s Doing All This Distracted Driving?

There are probably lots of factors involved in this rise in accident statistics, but one of the biggest has to be distracted driving. This is particularly true of younger drivers. Texting, Snapchat, Pokemon GO, Tinder, and other social media apps are the equivalent of Elvis and Beatlemania for previous generations. According to a report by The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 60 percent of all motor-vehicle accidents teenagers are involved in are caused by distractions, either inside or outside of the vehicle.

But it’s not just those darned kids who are driving while distracted…older people are climbing onto the technology bandwagon rapidly. Who doesn’t enjoy the convenience of using an app? Unfortunately, the navigation app Waze rewards points to drivers who notify them of traffic jams, congested roads, and other impediments to traffic flow. This practice has the potential of further distracting drivers who are trying to earn points.

Fatal Distractions

The fact is, driving is a full-time job for a driver’s eyes, ears, and hands. Looking away from the road, even for a second, can be fatal. Drivers have enough distractions, whether it’s the kids arguing in the backseat or the angle of the sun. No more distractions are needed.

If you have been in an accident caused by a distracted driver, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim against the liable party. To get compensation worthy of your losses, it is vital that you get the representation of an experienced Seattle distracted driving accident attorney. The legal team at Seattle’s Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S., has been successfully representing Washington injury victims for over four decades. Call us today at 888-539-9211 for a free consultation.

Archives