Kansas City Distracted Driving Car Accidents
Driving and using your cell phone. These are activities most of us do every day – many times a day. Often, we do them together without even thinking about the dangers of combing the two.
The sad fact is that there are on average 3,287 deaths each day from fatal car crashes, and 25% of these deaths are caused by distracted driving. In 2015, 391,000 injuries were caused in distracted driving incidents. Driver distraction is reported to be responsible for more than 58% of teen crashes.
You don’t have look very far to see the pervasiveness of the problem. One of the most frightening sights I see while driving on the highway in Kansas City at night is the glow from a phone of a nearby driver.
It takes just three seconds after your attention has been diverted for a crash to occur, and the average time to send a short text is 5 seconds. If you are driving 55 mph on the highway, you can travel the length of a football field in 5 seconds. Just imagine the risk you are placing yourself and others, when you are driving at that speed without concentrating on and responding to what is on the road.
More than ever, Americans are driving while distracted with our phones. For this reason, distracted driving has been called an American epidemic – an epidemic that is completely preventable.
Unlike many states, Missouri and Kansas have very limited laws on the books to deter distracted driving. In fact, Missouri is one of only two states that does not ban texting while driving by adults. As a result, the effort to deter this behavior locally here in Kansas City has been waged by victims and their families, advocacy groups, and local government and agencies.
I know it is tempting to check that last text, read that email or see who “liked” your tweet or Facebook post, but it can wait. For the sake of everyone’s safety, put your phone away until you are done driving.
Injured by a Distracted Driver in Kansas City?
Have questions about what to do after an accident in Kansas City? Check out our Insider's Guide to Distracted Driving Accidents in Kansas City. This article answers many of the most common questions about distracted driving crashes in Kansas and Missouri, including how to prove if the other party's distracted driving caused the accident?
For more information, please download a free copy of my book, Crash Course, which includes the 9 mistakes that can wreck your injury claim. You can also contact our Kansas City car accident law firm by calling (816) 203-0143 or by filling out a form below. Contacting us is FREE and confidential, and there is no obligation to hire us to represent you. We would be happy to hear any concerns and try to assist you.
