Serving Minneapolis, Saint Paul and all of Minnesota
Texting while driving has become a huge issue for drivers in the United States, including Minnesota. The dangers of using a cell phone while driving are becoming more apparent, and there has been an increase in the number of cases of negligent and reckless driving involving texting. Texting while driving takes your eyes off the road. Even if only for a second, you are driving blindly.
The number of accidents involving distracted drivers nationwide continues to increase. Many of these accidents involve drivers using cell phones or texting while driving. Minnesota cell phone accidents are on the rise as more drivers use a phone, send text messages, or check email while driving. Talking, texting, or checking email while driving increases the risk of causing a car accident. According to an article published in the Christian Science Monitor, 16,000 road fatalities have been linked to texting and driving between 2002 and 2007. In response to the dangers posed by texting and driving, 30 states have passed laws that ban texting while driving, including Minnesota.
In Minnesota, it is illegal for drivers to read or compose texts/emails, and access the Web on a wireless device while the vehicle is in motion or a part of traffic, such as at a stoplight. It is illegal for drivers under the age of 18 to use a cell phone at any time. A texting violation can cost up to $300 and applies to drivers of all ages. As a primary offense, law enforcement can stop a motorist if they observe a violation of the law; this became effective in August 2008.
Driver distraction is a leading factor in crashes in Minnesota, accounting for at least 20 percent of all crashes annually, resulting in 70 deaths and 350 injuries. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) Office of Traffic Safety reports that these numbers are vastly under reported due to the challenge of determining “distraction” as a contributing crash factor.
According to a study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute as reported by the New York Times, before a crash caused by texting while driving occurred, drivers had their eyes off the road an average of five seconds. Texting is especially popular with teens. Because teen drivers are already at a higher risk for being involved in auto accidents, this combination is cause for any driver to be concerned.
Victims of a car accident that was the result of driving while texting should consult an attorney to discuss the details of the crash and determine if there is a viable car accident legal claim. Our attorneys have experience in conducting investigations (including obtaining cell phone records) in order to prove that a driver caused a crash by texting, using a cell phone, or handheld device while driving. We want to know if you have any reason to believe cell phone use was a factor in your injury-causing accident, as this information can strengthen your position in insurance negotiations or ultimately in a courtroom. If necessary, our attorneys can ask for or subpoena cell phone records to demonstrate the accuracy of your observation or suspicion. We also can call on proven investigators to locate witnesses to what happened, or forensic experts to collect and analyze physical evidence.
In the end, the decision to move forward with your lawsuit to be compensated for your losses and medical bills is yours and should not be taken lightly. If you or a loved one has been injured by a careless driver using a cell phone contact one of the Minnesota texting accident attorneys at Gaskins Bennett Birrell Schupp LLP. The attorneys at Gaskins Bennett Birrell Schupp LLP bring more than 30 years of experience standing up for the wrongfully injured or killed victims of auto accidents. We want to make sure that you are fairly compensated for your losses. It is important to act quickly after you have been injured in a car accident. Contact our office today at 866-397-4497 for a free legal consultation with one of our experienced auto accident lawyers. We have successfully litigated cases on behalf of injured motorists in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and throughout Minnesota.
