Pennsylvania Distracted Driving Accident Lawyers

Texting And Distracted Drivers Are Dangerous Drivers

The laws in Pennsylvania make it illegal to text while driving. Sending texts, reading texts or composing texts is against the law and punishable by a $50 fine. Nonetheless, this has done almost nothing to stop motorists from continuing to text while driving.

A distracted driver is a dangerous driver. If you or a loved one sustained an injury due to a motorist who was texting or otherwise distracted, you can count on Bellwoar Kelly, LLP, to provide the personal injury help that you need. Whether you are in Chester County, Montgomery County or Delaware County, our distracted driving accident attorneys can help you obtain compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and other losses. We offer free initial consultations. To schedule yours, please call our West Chester, Pennsylvania, law firm at 610-314-7066.

Understanding Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is any activity that diverts a driver’s attention from the road, endangering everyone on and around it. Common types of distractions include visual (taking your eyes off the road), manual (taking your hands off the wheel) and cognitive (taking your mind off driving).

In 2021, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) reported 12,703 crashes involving distracted drivers, accounting for 10.7% of all accidents statewide. These incidents resulted in 58 fatalities. Between 2019 and 2021, there were 37,451 distracted driving-related crashes, including 157 fatal accidents.

Important State Laws And Regulations

Pennsylvania law prohibits all drivers from texting while operating a vehicle. It includes sending, reading or writing text messages or emails. The state also enforces laws restricting handheld devices for novice drivers and school bus operators.

Violating Pennsylvania’s distracted driving laws can result in fines and citations. Texting while driving carries a fine of $50, and additional penalties may apply if the distraction leads to an accident. Penalties can escalate for repeat offenders or those whose actions result in severe consequences.

Common Causes Of Distracted Driving

Texting and general cellphone use are some of the most dangerous distractions. This is because they involve visual, manual and cognitive attention. Even a brief moment of texting or browsing social media can increase the risk of a crash.

Other distractions include:

● Eating
● Grooming
● Adjusting the radio
● Programming a GPS system
● Engaging in conversations

These distractions seem harmless but can reduce a driver’s ability to react quickly to sudden changes on the road, increasing the likelihood of accidents.

Impact Of Distracted Driving Accidents

Distracted driving accidents often result in severe injuries, such as:

● Fractures
● Traumatic brain injuries
● Spinal cord damage

Beyond the physical toll, victims may face emotional challenges, including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), especially if the accident caused life-altering injuries or fatalities.

The financial repercussions of distracted driving accidents can be devastating. Medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost wages and property damage burden victims and their families.

Our attorneys work to help victims secure compensation for these losses, helping ensure they receive the support needed during recovery.

We Handle All Types Of Distracted Driving Accidents

What else comes to mind when you think of distracted driving? While cellphone use and texting while driving is a front-runner, our lawyers also help people who have been injured by motorists who were:

• Applying makeup while driving
• Eating or drinking while driving
• Attending to children while driving
• Attending to pets while driving
• Adjusting GPS/navigation settings while driving

Our fast-paced society has ample opportunities to be distracted. However, driving is one time when motorists should avoid all temptations for distraction. When you keep your eyes on the road and your mind focused on driving, you are increasing the chances that you will arrive at your destination without incident and that you will keep others out of harm’s way.

Being injured by a distracted driver can be a devastating experience. Your injuries may leave you with extensive medical bills, the inability to work for a period of time and many other problems. Distracted drivers can also cause fatal car accidents, leaving grieving families to require attentive and caring guidance in wrongful death claims.

Bellwoar Kelly, LLP, provides dedicated and committed help to injured people and their families in Pennsylvania. We offer the legal guidance that you need to secure maximum compensation for your losses.

Contact Us In West Chester For A Free Case Evaluation

Schedule a free initial consultation to sit down with one of our personal injury lawyers. We can be reached at 610-314-7066 or you can contact us online.