The Rise of Distracted Driving Accidents in Pennsylvania: Legal Consequences and Prevention

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, PennDOT, governs programs for more than 120,000 miles of state and local highways in Pennsylvania and 32,000 state and local bridges. Each day, there are over 300 reportable crashes in Pennsylvania that result in several deaths and nearly 200 injuries.

Pennsylvania car accidents can happen for many reasons, and one of the most common is distracted driving. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines distracted driving as behavior that takes a driver’s attention from the road, their hands off the wheel, and their eyes off the road. It is incredibly dangerous, and since there are so many things that can divert a driver’s attention, distracted driving accidents happen frequently and are on the rise.

Suppose you were harmed in an accident where the driver was distracted. In that case, you may be able to recover financial compensation for the losses you suffered, like medical expenses and missed wages, if you had to take time away from work. A Pennsylvania car accident attorney at Edelstein Martin & Nelson, LLP can work with you, evaluate your car accident experience, and advise you on what your rights are for obtaining the compensation you need.

Reducing Distracted Driving Accidents in Pennsylvania

As high as 25% of all crashes reported in Pennsylvania are a result of distracted driving. Annually, there are thousands of distracted driving car accidents that occur across the state. 

Using cell phones while driving to make a call, check an email, look something up, or send a text tends to be the most common reason why a driver is distracted. However, cell phone usage is not the only reason for distracted driving. Eating and drinking, putting on makeup, dealing with rowdy passengers and children, playing with the car’s radio, and being mentally absent or zoning out can also be dangerous when driving an automobile.

A distracted driver that causes an accident can be held liable for the damages they cause car accident victims. There are legal options that victims of distracted driving accidents can pursue to obtain fair and full financial recovery. Economic damages like medical bills can be included in an injury claim just as non-economic damages like pain and suffering can. An attorney can evaluate a distracted driving accident claim to determine all of the damages that were suffered.

It is important that young drivers are educated on the dangers of distracted driving when they are being taught how to drive. Likewise, parents should never drive while distracted because this is a bad example for others in their car to witness.

In addition to teaching best driving practices and engaging in them, advocating for legislation that focuses on distracted driving prevention can help. This is true just as consistent enforcement of distracted driving laws can also potentially reduce distracted driving accidents.

Speak with an Attorney at Edelstein Martin & Nelson, LLP

Distracted driving accidents can result in severe injuries and death. If you were harmed in a distracted driving accident in Pennsylvania, please call an attorney at Edelstein Martin & Nelson, LLP at (215) 731-9900 to schedule a free consultation.