It is dangerous to text while driving. Texting while driving is only one type of distracted driving, but it has become the focus of much debate. Distraction.gov defines distracted driving as a non-driving activity that has the potential to distract a person from driving. There are three types of distraction: visual, manual, and cognitive. A driver who engages in texting while driving is distracted in all three ways.
Important Facts about Texting While Driving
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) survey, “An Examination of Driver Distractions as Recorded in NHTSA Databases,” distracted driving is the cause of many serious car accidents. Although cellular phones have led to important advances, such as economic growth, job creation, and increased response time to medical emergencies related to car accidents, they have also led to potentially dangerous and fatal levels of distraction on the road.
The NHTSA notes that the use of cellular phones and texting while driving has become a significant danger. The survey found that the use of hand-held electronic devices while driving has increased since 2007 from 0.7 percent to 1.0 percent. The survey also concluded that electronic device usage by drivers between the ages of 16 and 24 had risen from 1.0 percent to 1.7 percent, and that more females than males use electronic hand-held devices while driving.
This increase in cellular usage is the cause of many traffic accidents. Data collected by NHTSA resulted in the following findings: distracted driving caused 5,331 out of 34,017 car accidents, distracted driving wrecks accounted for 5,870 fatalities, and drivers under age 20 were involved in fatal distracted-driving crashes more often than older drivers.
Recovering from a car accident can be difficult and expensive. Medical costs and lost wages can lead to devastating financial hardships. If you have been in a car wreck involving distracted driving, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. At Denena & Points, a Houston car accident attorney can help you pursue a lawsuit against the party responsible for your injuries. The firm has extensive experience litigating distracted-driving car accidents in the Houston, Texas area. For a free consultation, contact the law office of Denena & Points at 713-807-9500 or 877-307-9500
Car wrecks killed 1,762 people and injured many more in Harris county and the eight surrounding counties between 2006-2008, the most recent years for which data is available.* Drivers made up the majority of the fatalities, however passenger deaths were not uncommon. While there is no location, vehicle or time of day that is immune from the possibility of a serious Texas car crash, there are some statistics that indicate when and where fatal auto accidents are most likely to occur.
Time and Location of Most Houston Car Wrecks
The majority of Houston area fatal auto accidents occur in Harris County, inside Beltway 8, particularly on the busy and complicated highway interchanges. For example, auto accidents on Interstate 45 resulted in 137 deaths between 2006 and 2008. Roads like U.S. 59 and the 610 Loop were also common sites of serious accidents in those years. On Allen Parkway alone, motor vehicle accidents increased by 47 percent and injuries increased by 154 percent last year.*
The most common hours for fatal accidents are between 9 pm – 2 am presumably because those are the hours of greatest driver distractions, drowsiness and drunk driving.
Denena & Points Represents Victims of All Serious Houston Car Wrecks
Unfortunately, identifying the time and location of most Houston accidents will not prevent all car crashes. Attorneys Tony Denena & Chad Points represent victims of all serious auto accidents. Regardless of what road a victim was traveling and the time of the wreck, we will aggressively advocate for a fair and quick recovery.
We understand the difficulties facing our clients who have substantial medical bills and significant lost pay as a result of their accident injuries and we empathize with our clients who are mourning the loss of a beloved family member who was killed in an accident. We never lose sight of our clients’ pain and their future goals and we work efficiently to get them the recovery that they deserve.
Call a Houston car accident lawyer at Denena & Points today at (713) 807-9500, toll free at (877)-307-9500 for a free consultation and let us work with you to recover the damages that you need to compensate you for your injuries.
*Source: Houston Chronicle, “Hell on Houston’s Highways” March 29, 2010
*Source: Houston Chronicle, “What’s Up With Allen Parkway?” March 29, 2010
When you have been injured in a Houston wreck , there are many things that you have to deal with, like tending to your health, addressing the damage to your vehicle and possibly arranging for time away from work while you recuperate. It is difficult to understand the effects of a car wreck or truck accident until you have been injured in one of these collisions yourself. That is why it is essential to identify a Houston accident lawyer whom you can count on to successfully handle your case and aggressively seek maximum recovery on your behalf.
Attorneys Tony Denena and Chad Points are passionate about advocating the interests of Texas accident victims. Our firm genuinely cares about making sure that you get well and ultimately get the maximum amount of money you deserve. Chad and Tony are also available to talk to you personally, both during the initial case evaluation and along the way if you have any questions for them.
We recognize the fact that our clients want thorough representation, but they do not want to wait years for their case to be resolved. So, we have developed a highly efficient case management strategy that allows us to wrap up all of our cases in as little time as possible.
If you would like to speak with a Houston accident lawyer about any type of injury case, whether it is an 18-wheeler collision , car wreck , motorcycle crash , or a dangerously defective vehicle , contact us immediately. Our law practice is centered on complex injury cases, such as catastrophic injuries and wrongful death claims.
The Houston based lawyers at Denena & Points have the experience, expertise and resources that it takes to recover the maximum amount of damages available, whether it is through a settlement or a jury award, in the shortest amount of time possible. We can be reached by phone at (713) 807-9500, toll free at (8770-307-9500or you can simply contact us through our website.