Cell phone usage while driving has been the cause of an alarming number of vehicle accidents. While in the past driver distractions have been primarily related to eating, playing with the radio, and focusing on passengers in the vehicle, nowadays driver distraction is often related to cell phone usage. Drivers are not simply talking on the phone. It is common for drivers to use their phones to read or type texts, search the internet, or even play games while the car is in motion. Thousands of people are seriously injured or killed each year in head-on collisions, sideswipe accidents, rollover accidents, side collisions, teen car accidents and other types of accidents related to cell phone usage. The victims of such accidents often suffer painful, devastating injuries with long recovery periods. Sadly, in some cases cell phone accidents are fatal car accidents. If a driver who was distracted due to cell phone use caused an accident that left you or a loved one injured, contact an experienced New York City cell phone accidents lawyer who will work tirelessly to ensure that you are compensated for the losses that you have suffered.
What Is Cell Phone Use?The term "using a cell phone" while driving does not only mean that the driver was talking on a cell phone while driving. The phrase is a general term used to describe using an electronic device while driving. This means talking on a cell phone, sending or reading texts or emails, searching the internet, or playing a game. When using an electronic device the driver's eyes are not focused on the road, but on the electronic device. A few seconds of averting eyes from the road can lead to a collision. Even if the driver is holding his phone to his ear while looking at the road, the driver is not fully focused on driving.
What Is New York's Law Regarding Using Electronic While Driving?In accordance with New York Vehicle and Traffic Law section 1125-c it is against the law to use a mobile phone while driving. Similarly, under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law section 1125-d it is against the law to drive while texting, using a laptop, pager, electronic game, tablet or any other portable electronic device. This means that if a driver is caught texting while driving, that driver will be fined. However, as an experienced New York City cell phone accidents lawyer can explain, if the driver uses an electronic device while driving and as a result causes an accident, the financial consequences to the driver may go well beyond paying a relatively minor fine and may include civil liability to the injured victim.
What Are the Consequences of Cell Phone Car Accidents?If a driver is not paying attention to the road and instead is focused on a phone conversation or is trying to type a text message, there is a good chance that that driver will cause an accident leaving another person with serious injuries. While the fines for violating New York Vehicle and Traffic Law prohibitions against driving while using a cell phone or portable electronic device are relatively minor, if distracted driving leads to injury the offender may be financially responsible to his or her injured victim in addition to be required to pay a fine.
If you were injured in an accident because of the negligence of a distracted driver, through a personal injury lawsuit there are number of different types of damages that you may be able to recover:
By pursuing a lawsuit against the negligent person who caused your injuries will both hold them accountable for their actions and will provide you with compensation to pay for your medical expenses and other losses. To ensure that your rights are protected it is important that you are represented by someone with experience representing victims of car accidents. Stephen Bilkis & Associates has extensive experience representing clients injured in parking lot accidents, SUV rollover accidents, head-on collisions, rear-end collisions, side collisions as well as other types of vehicle accidents. Contact an experienced cell phone accidents attorney serving New York City at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your car accident. We serve car accident victims in the following locations: Manhattan, Nassau County, Westchester County, Suffolk County, Staten Island, Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, and Queens.