The Impact Cell Phones Have on Driver Safety and Motor Vehicle Accidents
At the law offices of Cohen & Cohen, our Maryland MVA lawyers are all too familiar with the great impact cell phone use has had in contributing to motor vehicle accidents (MVA). There are a number of distractions that drivers may succumb to when behind the wheel of a car. The statistics can be startling, which has prompted lawmakers across the country to take notice and implement change.
Cell phones are widely used by most people. Many use them as their primary way of communicating and connecting with the world. Despite the risk cell phones pose to drivers on the road, people still have difficulty in putting them down. Unfortunately, cell phone use is a contributing factor in many car crashes people fall victim to. If you have been in an accident at the hands of a driver who was using their cell phone, they may be held responsible for the accident. The Maryland MVA lawyers at Cohen & Cohen have experience in representing victims who have faced an accident at the hands of a distracted driver. By reviewing your case, we may be able to represent you in your personal injury claim.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving can be anything that takes a person’s attention away from the road. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), distracted driving can take on many forms if it causes a person to:
- Take their mind off of driving
- Take their hands off the wheel
- Take their eyes off the road
Cell phones today pose a huge risk for drivers. Not only does a cell phone have the ability to make calls, you can also use them to listen to music, text, email, and browse the web. The options seem nearly limitless. Because of this, drivers aren’t just distracted by making calls when behind the wheel, they also offer a number of other uses for a user. Cell phone use when driving can increase risk for those on the road. Operating a cell phone behind the wheel is a form of distracted driving which, according to the CDC has been on the rise in recent years.
If you or someone you care about has been injured in an accident involving a negligent person on their cell phone, it may be in your best interest to discuss your situation with licensed Maryland MVA lawyers.
Banning Cell Phone Use
Lawmakers across the country have had to carefully take this into consideration and respond accordingly. Cell phone laws vary depending on the state in which a person resides. While a number of states still allow drivers to speak on their phones without a hands free device, all but a few have outlawed texting and driving:
- Montana
- Missouri
- Arizona
Banning cell phone use for drivers is believed to help deter people from using their phones when they are behind the wheel. Cell phone use can produce disastrous outcomes for those on the road. Cell phone use is a significant distraction that can cause a person to take their focus off of driving. As a result, a person may be unable to respond appropriately and safely to common occurrences when driving. In addition, the ability to process the road they are driving can be severely impacted.
Regardless of cell phone laws, when a negligent person causes harm to another, they may be liable for expenses related to the victim’s injuries. If you have been hurt by someone using a cell phone while driving, you may need Maryland MVA lawyers to help you seek compensation from the negligent party and their insurance company.
Not only can an accident produce terrible outcomes for victims, knowing that your accident was the result of distracted driving can fuel frustrations. While each state has variations to laws when it comes to cell phone use, one thing remains clear- cell phone use is a form of distraction when driving, which can seriously impact a person’s ability to operate a vehicle. Cohen & Cohen may be able to help by carefully reviewing your case and keep your rights at the forefront should legal recourse be the necessary next step.
For highly rated Maryland, MVA lawyers, contact the experienced legal team at Cohen & Cohen for a free case evaluation with no obligations.
