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Kansas City Distracted Driving/Texting While Driving Accident Attorney
Horn Law is a personal injury law firm headquartered in Kansas City that concentrates on representing victims in motor vehicle accident claims, including claims involving collisions resulting from distracted driving. Distracted driving is on the rise – due in large part to the proliferation of cell phones (texting while driving – and the numbers of fatalities and serious injuries resulting from distracted driving accidents have spiked in recent years.
In our experience at Horn Law, distracted driving is more dangerous than drunk driving. Because drivers are taking their eyes off the road to use the cell phone, collisions involve a greater force of impact and greater probability of serious injury or wrongful death. In fact, the majority of our motor vehicle accident cases in Jackson County, Missouri involve inattentive and distracted drivers. Therefore at Horn Law we have a growing concern for Missouri driver safety.
A New Universe of Risk
While many people still consider texting and driving to be a “teen driver†problem, consider these statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):
- Drivers in their 20s are responsible for 27 percent of all fatal distracted driving accidents.
- 10 percent of parents admit to having extended text messaging conversations while driving.
- At any given point during the day, approximately 660,000 drivers are using cell phones and other electronic devices behind the wheel.
These statistics, plus our own observations on the road, point to the fact that working adults now represent the largest class of distracted driver. In fact, as more and more adults rely on their cell phones and data plans to manage their busy lives, they have quickly become the largest class of distracted drivers.
All of this works to create a “new universe of roadway risk†where innocent drivers and their passengers are at an increased risk for suffering serious and fatal injuries in violent collisions.
The Dangers of Distracted Driving
Texting and Cell Phone Use
Texting and other forms of cell phone use are the deadliest forms of distracted driving due to the potential length of distraction. While it may not seem like much, the time it takes to read or send a message or social media post is more than enough to cause an accident. At highway speeds, vehicles travel the length of a football field in under five seconds. Imagine driving across Arrowhead Stadium blindfolded. This is what it’s like when a driver is texting behind the wheel.
In addition, cell phones are extremely habit-forming, and studies show that people of all ages are increasingly becoming addicted to the instant attachment to work and social media. These habits and addictions are what transform casual cell phone users into dangerous drivers.
Other Common Driver Distractions
Besides handheld and hands-free cell phone use (between which there is no distinction when it comes to a driver’s likelihood of causing an accident), there are countless other distractions that can lead to dangerous, life-threatening car accidents as well. Some of the other most common driver distractions include:
- Changing CDs or adjusting playlists
- Eating and drinking
- Grooming
- Interacting with passengers
- Navigating
- Reading
- Rubbernecking
These and other distractions may be grounds for you to seek financial compensation from a negligent driver and his or her insurance company. If the distracted driver was working at the time of the accident (for example, if a truck driver was checking notes or communicating with dispatch), you may also have a claim against his or her employer.
Distracted Driving Injuries and Fatalities
Car accidents caused by distracted drivers are among the most likely to result in serious or fatal injuries. This is due to the fact that, being distracted, these drivers are not able to brake or otherwise take action to attempt to avoid a serious collision. There is often little that innocent drivers can do – dangerous situations can arise in an instant, and the movements of distracted drivers’ vehicles can be unpredictable.
This means that victims in distracted driving accidents often suffer life-changing, and in many cases life-threatening, injuries. These frequently include:
- Bone fractures
- Burns
- Face and eye injuries
- Head injuries
- Neck and back injuries, including spinal cord damage
- Severe lacerations and contusions, which often lead to permanent scarring
Take Control of Your Situation with Horn Law
Horn Law’s lead attorney Doug Horn has over 25 years of experience representing victims of car accidents in Missouri, Kansas, and throughout the Midwest. With a long track record of success, hundreds of clients have trusted Horn Law to help them pursue maximum compensation for their injuries. When you contact us about your case, you can rely on our rapid response to ensure that you have the best possible chance to win the largest possible insurance settlement or court verdict for your losses.
Read more about our rapid response process and why it is crucial to conduct a thorough investigation as soon as possible.
Contact Horn Law about Your Midwest Distracted Driving Case Today
For more information about how Horn Law can help you following a car accident caused by a distracted driving, contact us to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation today. Additionally, if you are in the hospital or unable to travel, please note that attorney Doug Horn will come to you.
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Distracted Driving
If you or someone you know has been injured or killed by a distracted driver, you can contact Attorney Doug Horn for free legal consultation.
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