Cell Phones and Car Accidents

Automobile accidents in Los Angeles have many causes, but some of the most recurring ones that personal injury lawyers see are that of cell phone use. Talking on a cell phone or texting while behind the wheel are some of the most common causes of car accidents in America, and the unfortunate fact is that they are both 100% preventable. The likelihood of these types of car-related accidents should not be ignored. It is important for drivers, especially in heavily-trafficked areas such as Los Angeles, to understand as much as possible about automobile accidents and injuries caused by cell phone use.

Cell phone-related car accidents have led to over a half million injuries in the United States in the past year. 200 of those injuries have been fatal. This has prompted several states, including California, to pass laws that ban the use of cell phones while driving. If a driver uses a non-hands-free device, then the driver is distracted.

A recent study has shown that cell phone users behind the wheel are 18% slower to brake when noticing brake lights ahead. This further proves that cell phone use is an unnecessary distraction. And, according to studies by the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, Carnegie Mellon University, and Harvard University, drivers who use a non-hands-free cell phone are 4 times more likely to be involved in an automobile accident.

The choice to operate a motor vehicle while using a cell phone is just as negligent as choosing to drive while intoxicated. Both are against the law, and both can lead to automobile accidents, which in turn lead to severe injuries and trauma. Some of the catastrophic injuries noted in cases involving cell phone use include fractures, broken bones, brain damage, paralysis, and even death. If you or a loved one has been the victim of a car accident caused by negligent cell phone use, then contact a personal injury attorney such as the accident lawyers of Pacific Attorney Group at once.