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  • Distracted Drivers are Dangerous!

    on April 28, 2014

    on April 28, 2014 by George Panagiotopoulos

    An estimated 421,000 people were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver in 2012. “Distracted driving is a deadly epidemic that has devastating consequences on our nation’s roadways,” said National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Secretary LaHood. In December 2012, it was estimated that 171.3 billion text messages are sent in the US every month. Distracted driving is even referenced in the Bible, Genesis 45:24: “Do not become agitated on the way.”

    There are many studies that contend that even the use of a “hands-free mobile telephone” to engage in a call while operating a motor vehicle, may contribute to causing an accident, and is relevant to the issue of negligence. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, driving a vehicle while texting is six times more dangerous than driving while intoxicated. So with all these distractions, what happens when you are injured by a distracted driver?

    Under New York law, iSFTH 05t is a “rule of the road” that drivers are prohibited from using hand-held mobile telephones while driving upon a public highway. McKinney’s Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1225–c. James v. Town of Babylon, 40 Misc. 3d 8, 968 N.Y.S.2d 314 (App. Term 2013). April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Negligent activity includes holding a portable electronic device and(1) Talking on a handheld mobile telephone, (2) Composing, sending, reading, accessing, browsing, transmitting, saving, or retrieving electronic data such as e-mail, text messages, or webpages, (3) Viewing, taking, or transmitting images, and (4) Playing games. As technology advances, distractions will only increase.

    What this means is that if you are injured by a distracted driver, you are entitled to just compensation for your personal injuries caused by that driver. Many times, though, the at-fault driver refuses to admit being on a cell phone. The experienced attorneys at Slater, Tenaglia, Fritz & Hunt can demand the at-fault driver’s cell phone records to establish that the at-fault driver was, in fact, on their cell phone. By gathering this information, our attorneys will establish negligence and help in ensuring you are compensated for the personal injuries caused by the distracted driver.

    At Slater, Tenaglia, Fritz & Hunt we take your injury seriously. We are aggressive in pursuing the full and fair compensation you deserve from the negligent party that caused your accident. To schedule your complimentary initial consultation, contact us by phone at (201) 820-6001 in New Jersey or (212) 692-0200 in New York. We can also be found on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Google+, Youtube and on the Internet. All personal injury cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, which means you do not pay our fees unless we recover for you. Contact us today!

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