Car Accidents and Cell Phones – A Dangerous Mix

Colorado car accident attorney wants you to be safe on the road and know what to do if you're in an accident with someone talking on a cell phone

Across Colorado and the U.S., cell phones and car accidents almost go hand in hand. Being distracted while talking on a cell phone accounts for 25% of all car accidents in fact.

With this in mind, it's easy to see the danger in talking or even worse, texting while driving.

Some other facts and statistics to consider that should give any driver or parent pause:

• Texting and driving is 6 times more likely to cause a car accident than driver intoxication
  
• Nearly 50% of young drivers (age 16-24) are texting while driving
  
• Young drivers talking on cell phones can possibly reduce their reaction time to that of a 70-year old driver
  
• Over 80% of car accidents are caused by distracted driving

These facts alone are staggering to consider which is why it's important to keep your attention on the road at all times. Pull over to talk on the phone or get a hands free device. Don't text while driving at all. Once you've done it a couple of times, it's easy to see how it can be the cause of so many tragic accidents.

Here are a few ways accidents can happen when a driver is using their cell phone:

• Distraction from a conversation (especially if it's emotional) or even a passengers' conversation
  
• Driving with only one hand on the steering wheel
  
• Taking eyes off the road to reach for a phone, dial a number or type a text message
  
• These distractions cause drivers to divert attention from their surroundings

Despite increasing restrictions on cell phone use and driving and the multitude of statistics and warnings, many teenage and adult drivers simply ignore any warnings and use their phones while driving.

In an effort to stem the danger of cell phones and car accidents, Colorado law bans texting and driving for all drivers and cell phone use for drivers under 18.

But accidents still happen which is why it's not only important you heed these warnings, but also know what to do if you're in a car accident involving another driver using a cell phone.

Colorado car accident attorney helps motorists affected by distracted drivers obtain compensation for damages and injuries

If you're involved in an accident with someone who was talking or texting on their cell phone, you may be entitled to compensation from the at-fault party.

There are several ways for determining fault in an auto accident in Colorado. One of those ways is the traffic laws and whether the other driver was breaking any of them. As you know from earlier, Colorado does have laws on texting and driving.

Police reports of the accident are also one way to prove fault and negligence in a car accident. If the report says the other driver was on their phone when the accident occurred, you could claim he/she was negligent and responsible for your damages and injuries.

If you're involved in an accident, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention for any injuries. Call the Police and have them complete a report. Beyond that, you should take photographs of the damage AT THE ACCIDENT SCENE. If there are any witnesses, get their contact information for any future testimony.

Now it is possible for you to be on a cell phone and the accident still be considered the other driver's fault. In these cases, your settlement could be reduced if it's determined you're partly at fault for the accident.

Of course, if someone dies as a result of a distracted driver on their cell phone, then it becomes a wrongful death suit. While these suits are slightly different, you still must prove negligence on the part of the other driver.

If you or a loved one has been involved in car accident resulting from another driver's cell phone use or if you're having trouble obtaining fair compensation from your insurance company, contact a Colorado car accident attorney at the Babcock Law Firm today.

Plaintiffs who hire a car accident attorney generally receive much higher settlement amounts for their cases. Don't be left holding the bag for someone else's carelessness.