What Constitutes Distracted Driving?

Buzz. Buzz. Your Phone vibrates next to you as you drive. You reach over and pick it up quickly to glance at the screen without a second thought. In that brief instant, you could be involved in a fatal crash, due to distracted driving. In our world today, everyone is constantly moving and constantly connected to those around them. It may be difficult to put life on pause while driving, but it is extremely important to ensure the safety of you and of other drivers on the road.

According to the Official US Government Website for Distracted Driving, distracted driving consists of:

• Texting
• Using a cell phone or smart phone
• Eating and drinking
• Grooming
• Talking to passengers
• Using a navigation system

Any action which prevents you from keeping your full focus on the road decreases your ability to react quickly to prevent a crash. Failing to pay attention to the road, even for a just a moment, can lead to causing serious injuries to yourself, your passengers or another driver.

Consequences of Texting and Driving

Those who cause a car crash due to distracted driving will be responsible for paying medical expenses, property damage, and physical pain and suffering to those they injured. In addition, if you fail to pay attention while driving and you kill someone, you could be charged with vehicular homicide. A brief moment of distraction can result in life-long consequences, as it did for teen driver, Liz Marks who decided to check a text while driving.

Due to this decision, Marks suffered an accident that caused blindness in one eye, facial scarring, and an inability to sleep without medication. She was in high school at the time of the accident and said she went from being extremely popular to feeling isolated with no friends.

Marks is one of many who was injured as a result of driving while distracted. In her case, she survived, unfortunately many cannot say the same.

Been in an Accident Caused by Distracted Driving in PA?

Here, in Pennsylvania, the law prohibits a driver from using an Interactive Wireless Communication Device to send, receive or write any type of text-based communication while driving. The consequences of texting while driving and causing a crash generally results in financial liability for the driver who was failing to pay attention.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed due to the carelessness of a distracted driver, contact us for a free consultation from an attorney at Lowenthal & Abrams. We have an experienced and caring legal team who can help you receive the benefits you may deserve.