Distracted driving is on the rise in Las Vegas and there may be more people driving dangerously than ever before. With their eyes on their smartphones or their fingers sending texts, distracted drivers can be a menace to others on the roadway. When people are texting or surfing the internet while driving, they could swerve in front of you, slam into you from behind or even hit you head-on as you head down the roadway.
Car Accidents in Las Vegas
Accidents caused by distracted drivers can lead to severe injuries or even deaths. The number of motor vehicle collisions caused by drivers paying attention to their phones rather than the road is growing. The epidemic of distracted driving contributes to over one-third of all crashes across the country each year.
Even more chilling, 3,450 people were killed in 2016 alone in crashes caused by distractions. If you’ve been hurt in an accident caused by a distracted driver, a Las Vegas personal injury lawyer can fight to get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries, pain and suffering, and forced time away from your job.
A Growing Concern
As smartphones have become essential to daily life, they have also led to a number of devastating car accidents. Many people have seen and felt for themselves just how dangerous the roads can be when people are distracted. In fact, one survey found that 87.5 percent of people say that distracted driving is getting worse.
Despite the fact that people recognize that distracted driving is dangerous, many people continue to use their phones on the road despite the risk. Nearly half of all drivers told a road safety survey that they use a handheld mobile phone behind the wheel, and 45 percent noted that they had read a text or email while driving. Over one-third had sent a text or email themselves, typing out their message while behind the wheel. This kind of behavior increases the danger of a car accident by up to eight times, putting everyone else on the roads at risk.
Legal Responsibility
Drivers have a responsibility to exercise reasonable care by driving properly and paying attention to the road, to protect the lives and safety of other drivers, passengers, cyclists and pedestrians. Distracted driving is against the law in Nevada, where legislation prohibits failing to pay full attention while driving. In addition, the state’s mobile phone law requires drivers to use hands-free devices or pull over to make a call.
When you’ve been injured due to a distracted driver’s negligent behavior, you can turn to a Las Vegas personal injury lawyer to protect your rights and seek justice. Contact us at The Schnitzer Law Firm to find out how we can help fight for you. Use our simple online form or call us at 702-960-4050 to set up a free consultation with our skilled, experienced attorneys.