Rhode Island Distracted Driving Accident Attorney
For decades the rate of car accidents in the U.S. went down consistently year after year, but in just the last few years they have started rising. Car safety technology has been continually improving, and crash avoidance technologies in particular have been blossoming, so why are car accidents increasing instead of declining at an even faster rate?
The most likely answer is the distraction caused by the explosion of smartphones, social media apps and other technology pulling driver attention away from the road. Most people believe that in-dash infotainment systems and hands-free phone technology must be safe to use; otherwise, automakers would not install these features in their cars. The truth is that manufacturers add these features to sell cars, and traffic safety is often not one of their chief concerns when installing new features into automobiles.
It is simply not possible to concentrate on driving while distracted; research shows that while the brain is focused on a phone conversation, the field of vision is narrowed by as much as 50% and the ability to process moving images is lessened by one-third. Hands-free is better than hand-held, but hands-free is not risk-free. Cell phone distractions pull the driver’s attention away from the task of driving not just during a call but for a long period of time afterward.
Distracted driving car accidents are responsible for several thousand deaths and hundreds of thousands of injuries every year. Distracted driving is negligence, and distracted drivers can and should be held responsible for the damage and harm they cause by not paying sufficient attention to the road and the important task of driving safely. The Rhode Island distracted driving accident attorneys at Robert E. Craven & Associates are here to help you when you’ve been hurt in a car accident caused by distracted driving. Learn more about the dangers of distracted driving below, and call our office for a free consultation if you or a loved one has been harmed in a Rhode Island distracted driving car accident.
What exactly is “distracted driving”?
Distracted driving is not any one thing; instead, it refers to car accidents that occur because the driver was not paying attention to the road and traffic and driving accordingly. Safety experts recognize a number of different distractions, which they group into three categories: visual distractions, manual distractions, and cognitive distractions.
Visual distractions occur when the driver’s eyes are taken off the road to look at a smartphone or in-vehicle infotainment system. Reading a newspaper or map, checking notes for an upcoming work meeting, or applying makeup are also visual distractions.
Manual distractions occur when the driver’s hands are taken off the wheel to hold a phone, send a text, or program a navigation aid for example. Eating while driving and putting on makeup are other common manual distractions.
Cognitive distractions occur when the driver’s mind is drawn away from the task of driving. Checking notifications on a smartphone, programming a display, and talking with others whether they are on the phone or in the car are all common types of cognitive distractions.
As you can see, many activities involve two types of distractions or even all three, and as you may have guessed, the risk of a car crash goes up as more types of distraction are involved.
What is the law in Rhode Island on texting while driving?
Since 2018, Rhode Island has prohibited the use of a handheld device while driving; no talking, no texting. Hands-free use of a cell phone, however, is allowed. If a police officer observes you using a handheld device while driving, you can be pulled over and ticketed $100, but that’s not the worst of it. The Rhode Island Department of Transportation says that a person who is texting and driving is 23 times more likely to get into a crash. This statistic makes texting while driving much more dangerous than drinking and driving with a blood alcohol content of .08%, which is per se driving under the influence (DUI) in Rhode Island.
At the Law Office of Robert E. Craven & Associates, we work hard to hold distracted drivers accountable for the damages they have caused and help car accident victims get the care and compensation they need to deal with their injuries and disruption to their lives caused by a crash. We’ll build a strong case proving the at-fault driver’s negligence so that we are in a position to obtain the full amount of compensation available, whether in a settlement with the insurance company or by taking the case to trial as needed to achieve the best result. Our commitment is to helping accident and injury victims recover to the fullest extent possible after being injured in an accident that was not their fault.
Our Attorneys are Here to Help after a Rhode Island Distracted Driving Car Accident
For help after a distracted driving car accident or other personal injury in Rhode Island, call Robert E. Craven & Associates at 401-453-2700 for a free consultation with a team of experienced and dedicated Rhode Island distracted driving accident attorneys.
