Although much effort has been made to raise awareness over the dangers of distracted driving, many drivers across Utah continue to engage in dangerous behaviors that take their hands off the wheel and eyes off the road. Cell phone use is the most obvious culprit, with texting and driving remaining one of the top causes of car accidents in Utah. The experienced attorneys at the Law Offices of Peter W. Summerill know that it can only take a split-second of driver inattention to cause a serious accident and that ‘distracted’ driving can take many shapes and forms, ranging from cell phone use, to adjusting a radio or GPS system, to passenger distraction.
At the Law Offices of Peter W. Summerill, our lawyers work hard to make sure that distracted drivers are held accountable for their actions. We firmly believe that no one should suffer the consequences of somebody else ignoring basic safety rules and putting the driving public in jeopardy. If the driver who caused your crash was paying more attention to their phone or portable electronic device instead of the road ahead, contact us today to discuss your legal options. You could be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
Distracted Driving, Utah Statistics, and Lawsuits
In Utah, the impact of distracted driving car crash related injuries, medical expenses, wrongful death and work losses can be difficult to gauge because it often goes unreported. However, some of the statistics and findings include:
- In 2010, there were 4,355 crashes in Utah where the driver was known to be distracted.
- The main effect of cell phone use is distraction of the mind (not the eyes or ears).
- Texting increases a drivers’ crash risk six times.
- Passengers make up 14% of all distracted driving crashes with cell phones at 15%.
- Nearly half of distracted driving crashes were rear-end auto accidents.
- Drivers between ages 15-25 make up more than half of those involved in collisions due to distracted driving.