Are you Familiar with the Dangers of Distracted Driving?

Distracted driving continues to receive a lot of attention, as this behavior can lead to a motor vehicle accident that causes serious injury or death.

The U.S. Department of Transportation wants people to understand that this type of driving is just as serious as drunk driving or speeding.

Along with information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System and the National Automotive Sampling System, the U.S. Department of Transportation compiled the following statistics in relation to distracted driving:

• In 2013, 16 percent of police reported accidents were caused by distracted drivers. This includes 10 percent of fatal accidents.
• In 2013, more than 3,000 people were killed in accidents involving distracted drivers. Just as alarming is the fact that 424,000 people were injured in this type of accident.
• In 2013, 480 pedestrians and bicyclists were killed by distracted drivers.
• Even though teenagers are most prone to driving distracted, crashes involving drivers in the 20 to 29 age group are more common since there are more of these people on the road.

These types of statistics prove that distracted driving remains a major problem in the United States, with hundreds of thousands of people injured or killed every year as a result.

As a driver, you need to understand the risks associated with distracted driving. Even if you are paying attention to the road at all times, somebody around you could make a mistake, such as taking a phone call, that puts you in a compromising position.

If you are involved in an accident caused by a distracted driver, the first thing you should do is receive medical assistance. From there, once you are in position to do so, you can learn more about the accident to determine your next steps. This may include consulting with a personal injury attorney regarding your legal rights.

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Stephanie Thompson, Estate Planning Attorney of Krueger Hernandez & Thompson SC

As the owner of Krueger Hernandez & Thompson SC, it is Stephanie’s mission to address each client’s goals for their estate plan. By identifying their wishes and concerns she can educate, guide, and counsel on the different tools and options that will effectively and efficiently accomplish those goals.

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