It is simply amazing the number of people today that text while driving. All you have to do is stand on the corner of a busy intersection and pay attention to the drivers around you. You will notice that many of them are not paying attention to the drivers and vehicles. Rather, they are looking in their laps at their phones or even have their phones clear up at the steering wheel while they text. Recently, here at Racine Olson, we handled a personal injury case where the at-fault party was carrying on three different conversations on her cell phone via text while she was driving. One moment an innocent party was driving down the freeway; the next moment, a texting driver had come across the median, flipped, and smashed in the other vehicle killing one and severely injuring others in the vehicle. It only takes a moment for these things to happen.
Racine Olson has faced these situations before, and we can help. We’ve been doing this for more than 70 years and currently have offices in Pocatello and Boise, Idaho.
Texting While Driving StatisticsA study from the National Safety Council reported that nearly 390,000 injuries occur each year from accidents caused by texting while driving. In fact, one out of every four motor vehicle accidents in the United States are caused by texting while driving. Even more surprising is the fact that a motor vehicle accident is more likely to be caused by texting than by drunk driving. 21% of teenage drivers who are involved in fatalities were texting while driving.
From these statistics, it is easy to see why most drivers in America support bans on texting while driving. And yet, if you go back to that same intersection that I mentioned at the beginning, you will notice that driver after driver after driver is texting on their phone while driving. Pedestrians are walking along the sidewalk, cyclists are sharing the roadway, and yet, motor vehicle drivers continue to text while driving when the results can be so dangerous.
Laws Prohibit Texting While Driving in Pocatello, Idaho, and on the FreewaysIdaho does not have a specific statutory provision that applies just to texting. However, there is a statute found at Idaho Code § 49-1401(3) which provides that an inattentive driver is one who is careless or imprudent in the light of the circumstances then existing and can be guilty of a misdemeanor. In that same statute, there is a provision which states that a person can also be held liable for reckless driving if his or her actions are heedless or wanton to the dangers surrounding them.
If a person is texting while driving, it is likely that he or she is guilty of inattentive driving and/or reckless driving. This means that he or she can be held responsible for any and all injuries to the person or property of another. Texting clearly falls within the purview of inattentive or reckless driving.
Injuries as a Result of Inattentive DriversIn Pocatello, Idaho, there are damages that you are allowed to recover if you’ve been injured by a driver who was texting. These include loss of wages, pain and suffering, medical expenses, and future limitations that you may have due to the accident. Here are Racine Olson, we understand the injuries and how to maximize your recovery. When you call us, you will actually talk to a person who will be happy to answer all of your questions. We’re experienced. We’ve been through this before. Give us a call. Problem Solved.