Bronx, NY Personal Injury Lawyer: Distracted Drivers Held Accountable
Putting on makeup, drinking coffee, changing shoes, going online—these are just some of the seemingly mundane things that many Americans are doing behind the wheel. But did you know that any form of distraction that takes your focus away from the road or the controls even in just a matter of seconds can lead to more injuries and fatalities than driving under the influence? If you or someone you know is suffering from an injury after a car accident in New York due to distracted driving, find a Bronx, NY personal injury lawyer who can help you get compensated.
Distracted driving habit is particularly high among teens who combine the toxic combo of less driving experience and higher tolerance for danger. A PopSugar.com article published a study by AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety analyzing 1700 videos of teen crashes that showed that a large percentage of vehicular accidents were due to distractions that were caused by the driver or the passengers, and due to activities, such as grooming, reaching for objects, singing, and cell phone use. In addition, of 2000 young drivers surveyed for a research by Bridgestone Americas Inc., 90% admitted to posting on social media, 75% admitted to watching videos, and 95% reported reading emails while being behind the wheel.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has been pushing for tougher texting laws, believing the activity is extremely dangerous among younger drivers. Young drivers under 21 will be imposed 120-day license or permit suspension for the first offense. Those who commit their second offense within six months after getting back their license shall be subject to a one-year license or permit revocation. The maximum fine has been raised $50 dollar more: $200 first, $250 second, and $450 for the subsequent violations.
The privilege of driving carries with it the responsibility of trying to keep everyone around safe. No one should suffer because of another’s negligent act, punishable as a crime, especially when it results to injury or death. An experienced Bronx personal injury lawyer from firms like The Law Offices of Joseph M. Lichtenstein can help you hold the driver at fault accountable for his or her negligent act. Having handled multiple number of car accident cases, Atty. Lichenstein’s law office can help you obtain the necessary evidence, negotiate with the insurance company, and even represent you during trial if you’re denied just compensation.
Remember that fighting for your rights as a victim can send a message to everyone that distracted driving offenses should be taken much more seriously. It takes only seconds to look away before a collision that could destroy lives and properties, just as drunk driving would.
(Source: Alarming Crash Video Shows Teens Distracted While Driving, PopSugar.com, April 5, 2015)