Handling MO Auto Accident Cases Involving Distracted Driving
According to statistics published[1] by the federal government, auto accidents due to distracted driving caused injury to an estimated 421,000 people in the United States in 2012 alone. For this reason, distracted driving is considered to be a dangerous epidemic in the U.S., especially since the rise in popularity of handheld mobile devices. If you have suffered injury due to a distracted driver in or around St. Louis, the experienced auto accident attorneys at The Bruning Law Firm can help you recover. Call our office at (314) 898-3078 to discuss a possible legal claim.
Types of Distractions While Driving in MO
A distraction is considered to be anything that causes the following while you are driving:
- Takes your eyes off the road (visual distraction).
- Takes your hands off the wheel (physical distraction).
- Takes your focus off of driving (cognitive distraction).
Texting is widely considered to be the most dangerous driving distraction because it causes all three types of distraction at the same time. Missouri is one of the few states that does not have a law against texting for all drivers, as the law only bans[2] texting and related messaging for drivers under the age of 21 and commercial drivers. For this reason, texting and driving continues to be a primary cause of auto accidents in the St. Louis area.
More than Just Texting and Driving in MO
Though texting and messaging is a primary concern when it comes to distracted driving, many other types of distractions cause accidents, as well. The following are other common distractions that may result in injury:
- Talking on the phone or to a passenger
- Eating or drinking
- Personal grooming
- Programming a GPS device
- Tending to children in the back seat
- Reading
- Changing the radio
- Listening to podcasts or audiobooks
These are, of course, only some examples of distractions that may result in an accident. Proving that a driver was negligently engaging in a distracting activity can be complicated, however an experienced attorney will know how to investigate your accident for evidence of negligence.
Call an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer at The Bruning Law Firm for Help Today
At the St. Louis office of The Bruning Law Firm, our skilled car accident injury attorneys are committed to helping injured auto accident victims receive the compensation they deserve. Please call (314) 898-3078 for a free, no-obligation consultation today.
- http://www.distraction.gov/stats-research-laws/facts-and-statistics.html
- http://www.moga.mo.gov/mostatutes/stathtml/30400008201.HTML