• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Babcock Law Firm

Denver personal injury and accident lawyer

(303) 683-5033 FREE CONSULT 4600 S Ulster St.
Suite 800, Denver CO 80237
  • Our Firm
    • Our Mission
    • Injury Attorney Profiles
    • How Representation Works
  • Practice Areas
    • Workers’ Compensation / Work Injuries
    • Car Accidents
    • Truck Accidents
    • Motorcycle Accidents
    • Drunk Driving Accidents
    • Pedestrian Accidents
    • Slip and Falls (Premises Liability)
    • Bad Faith Insurance
    • Wrongful Death
  • Reviews
  • News
  • Resources
    • COVID-19
    • Scholarships
  • Blog
  • Contact
Denver Personal Injury Attorneys (Home) / Blog / Auto Accidents / Texting & Driving – A Dangerous Mix

Texting & Driving – A Dangerous Mix

With the rise of mobile technology also comes a rise in car accidents due to the distractions these devices can create. Sending a text message while driving is in fact one of the most dangerous of these distractions.

A 2009 experiment by Car and Driver magazine editor Eddie Alterman on an abandoned air strip showed texting to be more dangerous than drunk driving. Legally intoxicated, it took Alterman an additional 4 feet to stop at 70 MPH…sending a text added 70 feet to this stopping distance.

Another study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute used video cameras in vehicles to study the driver and the road. Analysis of the data found that 81% of ‘safety-critical’ events involved some sort of distracted driving, with texting having the greatest ‘relative risk.’ Drivers of large trucks who text in fact have a 23.2 times greater chance of being distracted and getting in a wreck as a non-distracted driver.

Therefore, it’s by no means a stretch to say that texting while driving leads to increased distraction behind the wheel

Effective in December 2009, Colorado banned the practice of texting while driving. Penalties are a $50 fine for the first offense and a $100 fine for the second.

Many notable accidents have occurred since the advent of text messaging, including Heather Leigh Hurd who was killed by a truck driver sending a text message. Heather’s father has since been a tireless crusader for establishing texting laws across the U.S.

Another notable accident involved a commuter train driver in Boston who was sending a text to his girlfriend while driving the train. It’s estimated the crash that injured 46 people caused $9.6 million in damage.

Regardless of any laws prohibiting it, it’s just plain wise to pull off the road before sending a text message on your phone. If an accident occurs while using your phone, you could be held liable for any damages.

Conversely, if you’re in a car accident with a driver who was distracted due to sending a text message, you can seek compensation for injuries and property damage. As we discussed in our knowledge center article on determining fault in a car accident, violation of a statute like the texting ban is one way to prove negligence on the part of the other driver.

If you’ve been in an accident due to a distracted driver sending a text message while driving, you most likely have grounds to pursue a claim. Contact Denver car accident attorneys at the Babcock Law Firm to discuss your case today.

 

Primary Sidebar

Categories

Personal Injury
Practice Areas

Car Accidents Truck Accidents Motorcycle Accidents Drunk Driving Accidents Pedestrian Accidents Workers' Comp / Work Injuries Slip & Falls (Premises Liability) Insurance Disputes Wrongful Death

Resources

Blog Contact Us Firm News

Footer

Client Testimonials Read All Reviews

Highly Recommend
"I can highly recommend the Babcock Law firm. They were very attentive, answered all of my questions and then took care of everything. I had nothing to worry about except getting better. The results were far better than I had expected. Thanks to them, I can now get on with my life."
Jack
Great Team
"The Babcock Law firm handled my case with great expertise. They were very informative and helpful. They are a team that really care about their clients and fight to make sure their clients are treated very fairly. I would highly recommend them to any one in need of a workers' comp attorney."
Leon
Outstanding Job
"The Babcock Law Firm did an outstanding job of representing me. I had never been involved in a work related injury case, so I had no idea what to expect. Mack and his staff did a great job of providing information and protecting my rights every step of the way..."
JC
Association Badges
Association Badges

Schedule your free consultation with our attorney

No cost – No commitment

(303) 683-5033
The Babcock Law Firm
Denver Workers' Compensation Lawyer and Personal Injury Attorney Mack Babcock
4600 S Ulster Street, Suite 800 Denver, CO 80237 United States

Personal Injury
Practice Areas

  • Car Accidents
  • Truck Accidents
  • Motorcycle Accidents
  • Drunk Driving Accidents
  • Pedestrian Accidents
  • Workers' Comp / Work Injuries
  • Slip & Falls (Premises Liability)
  • Insurance Disputes
  • Wrongful Death
  • Colorado Springs Workers’ Compensation

Resources

  • Blog
  • Firm News

Free eBooks

  • Colorado Workers' Comp Guide
  • Colorado Car Accident Guide

Our Firm

  • Firm Mission
  • Attorney Profiles
  • Practice Areas
  • Contact

    Facebook    Twitter    Blog

The Babcock Law Firm: Colorado Enjuris Partner Attorney
More
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Legal Disclaimer & Terms of Use
  • Reviews
© 2023 The Babcock Law Firm. Colorado law firm for workers' compensation, car accidents & personal injury. Serving all of Colorado and the Denver metro area from our Denver law office law firm internet marketing by SEO Advantage®