West Virginia readers know that distraction is one of the leading causes of crashes across the country, and the problem is only getting worse. With the widespread popularity of smart phones, the use of phone applications while driving is one of the main forms of distracted driving. Any moment of distraction, even just a few seconds, can cause serious motor vehicle accidents.
Despite the fact that people are well aware that distracted driving is dangerous, many drivers continue to do it. Experts believe that people are lulled into believing that they can safely drive without giving the task at hand their full attention. While texting and driving is a major problem, using apps while driving is just as dangerous. A startling number of drivers in the age range of 18 to 39 admitted that they feel comfortable using a wide range of social media platforms while driving.
Facebook is the number one app used by people who are driving, and newer apps like Vine and Snapchat are also quite popular with younger drivers. Studies indicate that while people know distracted driving is extremely dangerous, they do not believe they are at any risk for injury. In reality, distraction exponentially increases the risk of injury or death.
If a person is injured due to the reckless or negligent actions of a distracted driver, the victim has the right to financial compensation. By holding liable parties accountable, an experienced personal injury attorney can help victims of motor vehicle accidents seek a full and fair recovery. When distracted driving causes injury or the death of a loved one, West Virginia accident victims, including the surviving families of deceased victims, would be wise to seek a complete evaluation of the case.
Source: cars.com, “This Is Your Brain on Apps: The Distracted Driving Dilemma“, Matt Schmitz, Oct. 3, 2016
