Whenever people step behind the wheel of a vehicle, they owe everyone on the roads with and around them a duty of care to drive responsibly. As part of that duty of care that is extended to other people sharing the same road, motorists should always give their driving duties their full attention. Using a cellphone while driving is a clear violation of that duty of care.
If you believe the motorist who caused your accident was texting, you should consult with our knowledgeable local car crash lawyers who have extensive experience successfully handling lawsuits involving texting while driving car accidents in New London.
Why Is Texting So Dangerous for Drivers?
When people drive, they need to focus and avoid distractions that can interfere with any part of their driving.
Manual Distractions
You need your hands on the wheel to drive safely. For instance, picking up a sandwich and eating it with one hand is dangerous because it causes a manual distraction. You cannot have both hands on the wheel while you eat that sandwich, which means that you lose some of your manual dexterity behind the wheel. If you need to suddenly pull the wheel sharply to avoid hitting someone, you would not be able to while you hold that sandwich.
Visual Distractions
You need to look at the road in front of you and also periodically check in your rear and sideview mirrors every time you drive. For instance, if you look down to read the directions on the GPS, you cannot also look at the road. If someone darts into the road, you might not be able to safely stop to avoid a collision because you are looking at the GPS instead of the road.
Cognitive Distractions
You should not allow your mind to wander when you drive. For instance, if you are zoning out and thinking of your grocery list instead of the road, you might miss seeing a stoplight turn from green to red.
Texting is particularly hazardous because it simultaneously interferes with your manual, visual, and cognitive abilities and puts you at an elevated risk of causing a crash. When you hold your cellphone in your hand to write or even read a message, you cannot put both your hands on the wheel. When you look down at your phone to read what someone said to you, you take your eyes off the road. When you take the time to compose a reply to a text, you let your mind wander.
Our seasoned New London attorneys understand the dangers of texting while driving. We could help you seek justice.
What is the Relevant Law on Texting While Driving?
State law strictly forbids texting while driving, as outlined in Connecticut General Statutes § 14-296aa. Drivers who text can face monetary fines. If the police cited the driver who caused your accident for texting, you could use that citation as evidence of their negligence. However, even if the driver has not faced formal charges for texting, our skilled attorneys could help you build a civil case. We could examine the evidence from the accident and speak with witnesses to see if they noticed the driver looking down, which could indicate they were texting. We could also formally subpoena the driver’s cellphone records. With our determined legal assistance, you could sue the New London driver for causing a collision due to their negligence based on their texting while driving.
Meet with a New London Attorney After a Texting Accident
If you suspect a distracted driver caused your accident, you might have the right to seek justice in a civil lawsuit. Our attorneys have successfully handled texting while driving car accidents in New London. Meet with our trusted attorneys to discuss what happened.
