Serving Troy, Albany, and all of Upstate New York
According to information recently released by the National Safety Council, of four popular modes of transportation – scheduled airlines, passenger trains (including Amtrak and commutation), buses, and light-duty vehicles (passenger cars, light trucks, vans, and SUVs) – the risk of passenger death while riding in a light duty vehicle is far and away the greatest. In fact, computed on a passenger mile basis, the death rate for passengers in light duty vehicles is 11 times that of bus passengers. It’s a staggering 4,700 times greater that of those traveling on scheduled airlines. And yet, few New Yorkers cringe as they open a car door to begin the commute or to go shopping.
Drivers Are Too Often In Another World
When you see the car ahead begin to drift a bit in its lane, chances are high that the person behind the wheel is driving while distracted (DWD). In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, at any given daylight moment across our nation, more than 660,000 drivers are using cell phones or manipulating electronic devices while driving. It’s as if they are driving “extra-terrestrially,” since they are essentially in another world.
Staggering Statistics
To reinforce the point that too many drivers have their minds on something other than driving, consider the following:
- As of December 2014, almost 170 billion text messages were sent in the U.S. each month, many no doubt by drivers.
- Ten percent of all drivers between 15 to 19 years old involved in fatal crashes were reportedly distracted at the time of the accident. This age group has the largest proportion of distracted drivers in the nation.
- Drivers in their 20s represent 23 percent of U.S. drivers in fatal crashes. They represent 27 percent of the distracted drivers, and 38 percent of distracted drivers who were using a cell phone at the time of the fatal crash.
- In just one year, from 2013 to 2014, the percentage of text-messaging or visibly manipulating handheld devices increased by almost 50 percent.
- It isn’t just texting or talking on the cell phone that distracts drivers. One insurance report confirms what most of us know to be fact: Drivers do all sorts of things – other than drive – while behind the wheel, including changing clothes, brushing teeth, working, etc.
A Slip of the Mind Can Change Another’s Life
It takes just a second or two of distraction to cause a serious accident and forever change the life of an innocent person. “Officer, I just looked down at my phone for a second.” Meanwhile, someone is killed or laid up in a hospital with painful injuries. If you or a family member has been involved in a serious auto accident, you may be entitled to recover considerable damages for medical expenses, lost income, and additional sums for pain and suffering. Retaining an expert attorney is crucial to your success, however. E. Stewart Jones Hacker Murphy has the judgment and experience to assist you in reaching the best possible settlement. We also have the skills and tenacity required to take your case to trial, if necessary.
We are one of the most highly respected law firms in upstate New York, and the Capital District. We have been representing clients for more than 125 years; our law practice has stood the test of time. Make the right call. Call us now at (518) 730-4723 or complete our online form. The E. Stewart Jones Hacker Murphy law firm has an attorney available to assist clients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year – even on holidays.