Texting While Driving – Automobile Accident Lawyers

Kraemer, Manes & Associates LLC “KM&A” is a personal injury law firm with car accident lawyers serving all of Pennsylvania. If you or a loved one have been involved in a accident because the other driver was texting, which resulted in serious personal injury, or you have lost a loved one from an accident, we invite you to contact us for a consultation. Call a KM&A accident lawyer at 412-626-5626 or email us at lawyer@lawkm.com. 

Nowadays, it is not unusual to hear about someone who was involved in an accident with someone who was texting while driving. Those who text behind the wheel often have difficulty focusing on the road and reacting to their surrounding environment. Recent studies have shown that texting behind the wheel can make accidents up to 23 times more likely. If you have been injured by a driver who was texting behind the wheel, it is important to know your rights. At Kraemer, Manes & Associates LLC, our attorneys will conduct a thorough investigation of your case to find out if your accident was the result of a texting driver and make sure you receive all the compensation to which you are entitled.

Are There Any Laws in Pennsylvania That Ban Texting While Driving?

On March 8, 2012, Pennsylvania passed a law that makes it illegal to send any form of written communication while operating a motor vehicle. “Written communication” could include, but is not limited to, text messaging, instant messaging, or email. Those found to be violating this law will be fined $50. While a violation will not result in any strikes on a person’s driving record, it may result in increased insurance premiums when a person causes an accident while texting behind the wheel. The law is limited in what it bans. Drivers are not prohibited from talking on a cell phone or using their cell phones for purposes other than text-based communication.

How Much Does This Law Do to Prevent Texting While Driving?

Since the law was enacted, over 1,300 citations have been issued to drivers in Pennsylvania who were found to be texting behind the wheel. However, surveys have shown that many drivers are still undeterred; recent studies from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that 20% of drivers nationwide admit to texting behind the wheel, and that number can jump to as high as 50% amongst drivers ages 21-24.

Does This Law Protect Me If I Was Injured By a Texting Driver?

Unfortunately, since the law is meant as a preventative measure, it does not address monetary retribution to injured parties for the financial and medical damage that texting drivers often cause.

What Remedies Do I Have If I Was Injured By Someone Who Was Texting While Driving?

Regardless of any texting-specific laws currently in place, all drivers have a duty to exercise reasonable care and diligence to prevent injuring others. If you can show that the driver who hit you was texting when the collision occurred, that information will help you prove that that driver was not exhibiting a reasonable level of care, and thus owes you compensation for your injuries. If you were injured by a distracted driver, you may be entitled to more compensation than you would be if you were involved in an accident where no one was at fault. You may be able to recover for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and in some circumstances, punitive damages.

Why Do I Need an Attorney?

Automobile Accident Lawyer: 412-626-5626

As with all car accidents, a collision with a driver who was texting behind the wheel can have serious consequences. In addition to any property damages that may result from the accident, drivers and passengers can suffer severe injuries that require expensive and time-consuming medical treatment, including:

• Whiplash
• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Broken bones
• Traumatic brain injury
• PTSD
• Mental distress
• Disfigurement
• Anxiety
• Emotional trauma

If you have experienced these or any other injuries resulting from a collision with a texting driver, you deserve an experienced attorney on your side who knows how much compensation you need to get you back on your feet and advocate for you to make sure you receive the money you deserve.

Knowledgeable Investigators

An experienced personal injury attorney can obtain the evidence you need to prove that the driver who hit you was texting behind the wheel, such as phone records, eyewitness accounts of the accident, and official police reports. An experienced attorney will know the right questions to ask and will have the skills necessary to investigate all the circumstances surrounding your accident, making sure you receive all the compensation to which you are entitled.

If you have been injured as a result of an accident with a texting driver, it is important for you to understand your options. At KM&A, our personal injury attorneys have the experience necessary to review the facts of your case and thoroughly advise you on what you should do next. Call us at 412-626-5626 for your initial consultation.

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