It may take only a fraction of a second to send or receive a text message, but that fraction of a second can lead to lifelong consequences if the person sending it is also driving a car. Regrettably, texting and driving continues to be a common behavior among teenagers, even though the repercussions associated with doing so are widely known among drivers across all age groups.
Just how often are today’s teens texting and driving, and is there anything that can help deter this type of behavior?
Readers of this North Carolina legal blog may enjoy a glass of wine or cocktail from time to time, but most may not understand just how quickly and pervasively their favorite alcoholic drinks impact their bodily functions. According to the online medical database, WebMd, alcohol goes to a person's brain within the first minute of consumption. That means from a person's very first drink they may experience dulled reflexes, balance problems and other issues with their judgment and coordination.
As alcohol permeates a person's body it may continue to impact the way the individual interacts with the world. It may make it more difficult for them to focus on multiple tasks at once, and it may increase their sensation of sleepiness. Drivers who cannot focus and who are tired are major threats to everyone around them.
When a driver in Charlotte is stopped in traffic or waiting at a light, they may be compelled to reach for their smartphone. In a matter of moments, they can be connected to the Internet and checking in on their favorite social media sites, responding to work emails or engaging in any number of tasks that are more enjoyable than waiting for their turn on the road. The use of one's smartphone in such a context may not seem that dangerous, but when individuals use their handheld devices while driving, serious accidents can occur.
It is for this reason that many jurisdictions throughout the United States have banned cellphone use for drivers. Engaging in online activity while driving is a distraction, and distracted driving is dangerous. Driving distractions can take on many forms, but in recent years the use of electronic devices has contributed to too many devastating collisions.
North Carolina drivers see them practically every time they merge onto the state's highways. Massive semis, oil tankers and other immense vehicles carry a multitude of goods across North Carolina and to locations far and wide. Without them, many of the products that individuals buy would be unavailable at their local retail outlets and it would take longer for people to receive the items that they both want and need.
Trucking companies have made a science out of how they pack and load large trucks so that they can maximize the amount of cargo stored in the trucks' compartments. However, they must also consider a factor unrelated to load maximization: safety. A poorly loaded truck can quickly become a danger when it is out on the road.
North Carolina can be a fun place to live and visit. The state offers individuals a vast array of natural and entertainment-based attractions, and numerous out-of-state visitors come to North Carolina each year to experience the fun and enjoyment that the cities and towns of the state have to offer. However, some individuals in North Carolina take their love of fun too far. When they do, they can put others in harm's way and at risk of serious injury or death.
Not long ago a North Carolina man was arrested for allegedly causing a serious motor vehicle accident. The man was reportedly drunk when he sped down a road in Surf City and collided with a car that was traveling in the same direction. The force of the impact caused the second vehicle to run off the road, roll over and catch fire. Two individuals in that vehicle lost their lives.
Distracted driving in North Carolina is an issue that many people do not realize the seriousness of until they are in a motor vehicle collision. Texting, surfing the internet, playing games and engaging in other distractions while in the driver’s seat is dangerous and a leading cause of deaths on the roads.
Drivers are vulnerable to distractions. Some factors make certain groups of motorists more susceptible to them than others. Here are a few facts about distracted driving all motorists should keep in mind.
Drunk drivers are hazards to themselves, their passengers and others who must be on the roads with them. In North Carolina too many individuals are hurt and killed each year when drunk drivers cause dangerous and preventable accidents. A driver who causes an accident due to intoxication may be arrested for their conduct, but they may also face a civil lawsuit if their victims choose to sue them.
Criminal cases based on drunk driving accidents are brought by public attorneys who prosecute the breaking of criminal laws. The penalties that apply in these cases may be punitive, such as fines and periods of incarceration. Civil cases, however, are based on the negligent or reckless conduct of the drunk drivers and the losses their victims sustained due to their involvement in the crashes.
The law firm of Downer, Walters & Mitchener is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, and represents victims of motor vehicle accidents. Motor vehicle accidents can happen in many different ways and victims deserve to get the support of legal representatives who understand how different crashes can require different legal strategies.
For example, distracted driving accidents can occur between the private drivers of cars and trucks or between private drivers and commercial drivers. Distracted driving crashes are often governed by facts that can help victims demonstrate the negligence of the responsible drivers. Distracted driving can happen when drivers use their cellphones, look at maps or eat while behind the wheels of their cars.
Car accidents are unfortunately common. Most North Carolina residents have been involved in vehicle collisions either as drivers or passengers and most likely emerged from their ordeals with minimal injuries. Sadly, other car accidents are incredibly serious and may cause life-threatening injuries and even deaths. The causes of car accidents stem from several different types of events.
One major cause of car accidents is the failure of drivers to give their attention to the road. Accidents from this category occur when drivers are distracted while behind the wheel or too tired to stay awake while driving. Drivers who allow exhaustion and distraction to take their attention away from driving are negligent and may be held accountable for the harm they cause to others.
Many Charlotte residents packed up their cars and drove to the homes of family and friends to celebrate Thanksgiving with the people they love. While most encountered heavy traffic and frustrating delays, an unfortunate few were involved in serious motor vehicle accidents on the roads of the state. Over the weekend, several vehicles were involved in a serious crash that left four people hurt.
The accident happened in the early afternoon on NC Highway 49 in Mount Pleasant. A driver traveling in the eastbound lane lost control of their vehicle and began to turn sideways. As the vehicle was losing control, another car attempted to stop to avoid a collision but ended up hitting the sideways car. The second vehicle to become involved in the situation then cross over the center line of the highway and caused a collision with a third vehicle that was traveling in the westbound direction.
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Downer, Walters & Mitchener, P.A.
701 East Morehead Street
Charlotte,
NC
28202
Phone:
704-594-4354
Fax:
704-333-5248
Charlotte Law Office Map
