Distracted driving is one of the most common ways that car accidents happen. Unfortunately, there are many ways that someone may be distracted on the road, whether they are chatting with a passenger in the car, fiddling with the radio station, or listening to an audiobook. However, one of the most common ways that people are distracted while they drive is by using their cell phone. Although many states have certain fines, penalties, and punishments in place for people who use their phones while they drive, people still attempt to do so stealthily or may believe that a phone call or a text message is too important not to respond to. Attorneys know that using a phone while you’re driving can be tempting, but they have seen far too many car accidents caused by this and know that it can cause serious damage. If you are the victim of a car accident that happened because the other driving was using their cellphone, please call a law firm to see how they can help you with your claim.
What are the first steps in proving that someone using their cell phone caused the accident?
While it’s true that accidents that involve cell phone use may have occurred because of another reason entirely, there is no excuse for driving distracted. If you have been in a car accident and the other person was on their cell phone, they are not automatically at fault for the accident. Instead, the burden of proof will be on you and your attorney to show that their cell phone use directly caused the accident. If you can show that they were driving carelessly because they used a cellphone, we can help you get the compensation you deserve.
How does using a phone cause careless driving?
If the other party was using their phone, they may have:
- Not had their eyes on the road while they were driving because they were sending a text or making a call.
- Not been looking at road signs such as stop signs, traffic lights, or yield signs.
- Driven with both hands on the steering wheel.
Who is responsible if a teenager was using a cellphone when they got into an accident?
If a teenager or other underage person was using a cellphone when they got into a car accident, their parents may be held liable for the accident because they were the ones who provided the child with the cell phone. However, there is no one rule that applies to this and it will vary from state to state.
It is important that you speak with a car accident lawyer in Tampa, FL, such as from Jeff Murphy Law, if you suspect the driver who caused the accident was using their cell phone at the time. It can be extremely dangerous to use a cell phone while driving and we want to help you receive compensation after you have sustained personal property damage as well as any personal injuries stemming from the accident.