Distracted driving is dangerous driving.  In the United States, the most common form of distracted driving is texting while driving.  Using a cellphone while behind the wheel is not only dangerous, it is illegal.  Forty-five states have laws prohibiting drivers from texting while driving.  This includes writing an email and using an Internet browser. Unfortunately, some people choose to ignore these laws and it often leads to an accident.

According to The National Safety Council, using a cellphone while driving leads to about 1.6 million car crashes each year, with over 600-thousand of those resulting in injury.  In fact, texting while driving is six times more likely to lead to an accident than drunk driving.  Those statistics should be a warning to drivers everywhere.

Texting while driving can take your eyes off the road for about 5 seconds.  Five seconds may seem quick and inconsequential, but so much can happen in the blink of an eye. Reading one text message can cause a driver to travel over 100 yards without looking at the road.

Texting does more than just divert your eyes from the road, it also takes your hands off the wheel and distracts your mind from the very important task at hand: driving.

How to Prove Someone Was Texting While Driving

In most cases, proving that the other driver was texting while driving is straightforward. Maybe a witness saw them using their phone before the accident.  If more investigation is required, your attorney can request records from the responsible party’s cell phone provider. This will show whether the driver was receiving or sending text messages around the time of the accident.  You, along with an attorney, can use this proof to help your claim.  Once a texting driver is determined to have been negligent, they will likely be ordered to compensate victims for any injuries or other losses related to the accident.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident caused by a texting driver, contact The Cochran Firm.  Our team of dedicated personal injury attorneys will get you the maximum compensation for your pain and suffering.