Texting while driving significantly increases the risk of car accidents, endangering the distracted driver and everyone else on the road. This dangerous distraction diverts a driver’s attention, eyes, and hands away from safely operating the vehicle.
If you have been harmed in a preventable collision caused by a driver using a hand-held communication device, holding them accountable for their reckless actions is crucial. Consult with an attorney with experience handling texting-while-driving accidents in Piscataway to discuss your case and explore your legal options.
Texting and the Three Forms of Motorist Distractions
Distractions that divert a motorist’s attention from driving are hazardous, causing countless crashes in New Jersey and nationwide annually. Texting is especially dangerous because it falls within all three categories of driver distraction: visual, manual, and cognitive.
- Reading or creating text messages is a visual distraction, requiring a driver to take their eyes off the roadway in front of them, even if only for a few seconds
- The action is also a manual distraction because the motorist must remove one or both hands from the steering wheel, substantially limiting their ability to act quickly when hazards arise
- The final category is cognitive distractions, which occur when the driver is thinking about the text message they are reading, typing, or sending
While each category alone is responsible for many collisions, the three combined can significantly increase the severity of a wreck and even cause fatal crashes. An attorney knowledgeable about texting while driving car crashes in Piscataway can help an injured motorist through the insurance claims process and handle the legal work necessary to initiate legal action.
Hands-Free Driver Regulations
Using a smartphone or other electronic communication device while driving on public roads, parking lots, or highways is illegal in New Jersey, and violations are met with serious penalties. According to New Jersey Revised Statutes § 39:4-97.3, drivers are prohibited from texting while driving, even when stopped in traffic or at traffic lights. To comply with the law, drivers must pull over to a safe location and turn off their engines.
While motorists are allowed to use hands-free devices for voice-operated communication, any violation of the texting law can lead to significant consequences. A lawyer experienced in handling texting while driving accidents in Piscataway can evaluate your case and offer legal advice on how to pursue a fair settlement.
Speak to a Knowledgeable Attorney About Piscataway Texting While Driving Car Accidents
Texting drivers pose a significant threat to public safety on roads and highways, leading to preventable accidents across the nation. Most states, including New Jersey, enforce hands-free laws and conduct campaigns to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving. However, despite these efforts, the number of traffic incidents caused by reckless texting continues to increase.
If you have questions or need assistance following an accident involving a texting driver, reach out to a qualified lawyer experienced in handling texting while driving cases in Piscataway. Contact the office of Fredson Statmore Bitterman, LLC, to schedule your free consultation today.
