Distracted driving: a growing concern in Nebraska
Distracted driving is proving to be a major cause for concern on Nebraska roads. When drivers are not watching the roads, they are not able to react to sudden changes. A car may stop, a child may run to get a ball, or a deer could jump in front of the car without a distracted driver even noticing. Because distracted driving is a serious problem, officials in Nebraska are working on ways to better enforce laws and keep the roads safe.
Major causes of accidents
One source of distracted driving is the advancement of mobile communication technology. The growth of cellphones and smartphones has led texting and driving to become commonplace. According to the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety, a person who is texting is 23 times more likely to be involved in an accident than someone who is not. Perhaps surprisingly, drivers distracted by texting are also significantly more physically and mentally impaired while driving than someone who is driving while over the legal limit for alcohol.
Nebraska traffic laws
When it comes to texting and driving, Nebraska law is very clear. No drivers are allowed to text and drive a vehicle no matter the age or type of license. The law is not as strict when it comes to handheld cellphone use and driving. There is no specific law that prohibits the use of a handheld cellphone while behind the wheel in Nebraska; however, teenagers younger than 18 with a learner or intermediate driver’s license may not use a cellphone at all while driving. Drivers who use a handheld cellphone while driving may still receive inattentive driving citations and owe others on the road a certain level of due care.
Pursuing a personal injury claim
When drivers get behind the wheel of a vehicle, a duty of care is owed to others on the road. A motorist can be deemed negligent or careless when driving distracted, and if another person is injured, the negligent actions of the distracted driver will likely be used to demonstrate the driver lacked the required duty of care. In too many cases, distracted drivers cause serious injury and even death. Careless drivers should be held accountable for injuries that occur as a result of their actions.
An injured party has a right to bring a claim against the responsible party. An experienced personal injury attorney can protect the legal rights of an accident victim and provide guidance throughout the legal process. An accident victim may potentially receive compensation for missed time at work, medical expenses, and pain and suffering, among other damages. An injury victim needs an attorney who has jury trial experience in personal injury cases. Insurance companies are more likely to respect the claims of an injured victim of a distracted driver if the injured person has retained an experienced trial attorney. Car accidents are serious matters. The innocent- injured victims of accidents caused by distracted driving, require serious legal representation.
