Straight Talk Law: Seattle, Washington Personal Injury Lawyer Jason Epstein On “The Deadly Toll of Car Accidents Caused By Texting And Driving”

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Almost everyone is aware that the act of texting while driving can be incredibly dangerous. But a new study pinpoints just how deadly it can be.
Researchers at the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth, analyzing nationwide traffic data from the Facility Accident Reporting System, as well as texting records from the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) and CTIA, a wireless telecom industry group, have determined that over 16,000 wrongful deaths can be attributed to car accidents caused by texting while behind the wheel during the years 2002 through 2007.
The researchers calculated that if text messaging had never come into being, there would have been roughly 2000 traffic deaths per year due to distracted driving in that five year span. But, in real life, they increased – from 4611 in 2001 to 5988 in 2007, for a grand total of 16,141 deaths that would probably not have happened if it weren’t for the widespread practice of texting and driving.
A few other startling figures:
The percentage of all traffic deaths caused by distracted driving rose from 11% in 1999 to 16% in 2008
40% of all crashes happened in urban areas in 2008, up from 33% a decade earlier.
Only a third of all Americans had a cell phone in 1999. By 2008, 91% did.
The average monthly volume of text messages was 1 million in 2002. By 2008, it was 110 million.

The researchers suggested, as a solution, making texting while driving a criminal offense and allowing routine examination of cell phone records in car accident investigations, especially when they result in personal injury and wrongful death.
Unfortunately, the result of current laws against texting and driving seem to be having an opposite effect than intended; distracted driving crashes are actually increasing slightly in areas where there is a legal ban on texting and driving, according to another study by the Highway Loss Data Institute (HDLI).
“Texting bans haven’t reduced crashes at all. In a perverse twist, crashes increased in 3 of the 4 states we studied after bans were enacted. It’s an indication that texting bans might even increase the risk of texting for drivers who continue to do so despite the laws,” commented Adrian Lund, president of both HLDI and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Lund also pointed to a possible reason for crashes increasing after a legal ban was put in place – motorists who continued to text and drive, but held their phones lower, so the devices can’t be seen from outside the car. This would require the driver to look down further than usual, cutting their visibility of the road even more – and making the practice even more dangerous.
For more free “Straight Talk Law” information, please visit the website of King County Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Attorney Jason Epstein at www.straighttalklaw.com, where you can order free books on personal injury lawyers, Washington auto accidents, auto insurance, and other valuable legal information, offered as a public service by Mr. Epstein’s law practice in Seattle, Washington. Mr. Epstein also challenges all teens to take the pledge to not text and drive at his website, www.teensagainstdistracteddriving.com.

About the Author

Jason Epstein joined Premier Law Group as a partner in 2007. Jason is a litigator handling all types of personal injury cases with an emphasis on serious plaintiff’s personal injury and insurance coverage. Jason is a member of the Washington State Association for Justice and serves within its leadership. Jason often speaks at CLEs and serves as an arbitrator for both private and mandatory arbitration matters. Jason completed a certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution from the Strauss Institute of Dispute Resolution and the Trial Advocacy program through the National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Jason has been dedicated to representing injured people since 1999. Jason Epstein has been representing individuals against insurance companies and large corporations since 2001. He limits his practice to personal injury and wrongful death cases including auto accidents, motorcycle accidents, or other serious and catastrophic injuries. Hopefully you have already visited StraightTalkLaw.com. This website is loaded with tons of information, and is constantly updated to keep you informed of recent developments. You can also stay up to date by following the blogs which are linked toStraightTalkLaw.com Jason understands that providing the best legal representation to his clients means limiting the number of cases he accepts. He takes fewer cases so he has more time for you. By limiting his caseload, Mr. Epstein is able to give each client and each case the time and attention that they deserve. If you would like to see if your case qualifies for Mr. Epstein to represent you, please contact us throughStraightTalkLaw.com, request one or more of Jason’s books, or call us toll free at (888) 333-1873.

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