Kansas City Texting and Driving Accident Attorney
Texting and driving is one of the most dangerous driver habits of the 21st century. In spite of statistics and research highlighting the extreme risks of texting and driving, drivers – particularly young drivers – use their cell phones behind the wheel at higher rates than ever. In 2015, distracted driving claimed 3,477 lives. Texting is one of the worst forms of distracted driving, as it takes the driver’s hands, eyes, and mind off of the driving task. If a driver caused your accident while texting, come to the KC accident attorneys of Wendt Law Firm P.C. for a free legal consultation. The law may entitle you to damage recovery.
Distracted Driving Facts in Kansas City
According to an in-depth study on traffic accidents in the Kansas City region, distracted driving kills an average of 33 people in the area every year. It causes serious injuries to an average of 366 more. Distracted driving is a serious issue that plagues the streets of Kansas and Missouri. These statistics refer to all forms of distraction, not just texting. However, texting is a significant contributor to distracted driving crashes. So significant, in fact, that both states have passed texting and driving laws:
- Drivers 21 years old and younger may not text and drive. The law bans texting for commercial drivers as well. “Texting” includes sending, reading, or writing any type of electronic message. The only exceptions are if the driver is summoning emergency help, reporting illegal activity, or preventing injury. Drivers may only talk on cell phones while driving in limited circumstances, such as with a hands-free device.
- In Kansas, no driver may text and drive. Drivers of any age cannot use any wireless communication device to write, send, or read written communications. These include texts, emails, and instant messages. Drivers may use handheld cell phones to make calls unless they have learner’s permits or intermediate licenses. Again, exceptions to the texting law exist in the event of emergency correspondence.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), reading one text takes your eyes off the road for an average of five seconds. Driving at 55 miles per hour, this is the equivalent of traveling the length of football field blindfolded. This puts into perspective how dangerous texting and driving is and how quickly it can result in a deadly accident. Drivers who cause accidents while texting may be guilty of negligence, even if the activity is technically legal. Texting and driving creates an unreasonable risk of harm to drivers and others on the roadway.
Proving a Texting and Driving Case
After a car accident in Kansas City, don’t be surprised if the other driver doesn’t admit fault. This is a typical reaction, and one that insurance companies and attorneys recommend. An investigation of the crash can assign fault and liability after the fact using phone records, eyewitness statements, and accident recreations. Retaining a trusted team of personal injury attorneys can put these resources within your reach and increase the odds of proving another driver was texting at the time of your collision. Contact Wendt Law Firm P.C., for a free case evaluation in KC.
