Call Us Today
In October, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation, announced a $5 million dollar public awareness advertising campaign aimed at educating the public on the dangers of distracted driving.
The “U Drive. U Text. U Pay” campaign will feature ad buys across the country on T.V., radio, billboards and digital platforms, along with images and videos made available by the NHTSA for local safety organizations to use.
Accompanying the advertising campaign, was a period of what is called high-visibility enhanced enforcement, from October 8th to the 12th, when police officers around the country were extra vigilant in their attempts to identify distracted drivers texting behind the wheel, or using their phones in some other distracting way.
At this point, it is probably fair to assume that most people realize that distracted driving is a dangerous behavior, but many may not realize just how deadly and destructive a behavior it is. The most recent data from the NHTSA shows that 2,841 people were killed in distracted driving accidents in 2018 alone. Also that year, an additional 400,000 were injured in these types of crashes.
According to U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao: “Distracted driving can cause accidents and worse – this educational campaign reminds drivers to focus on the road and drive safely.”
Despite a great deal of effort, and a lot of messaging on the topic, many of us continue to decide to engage with our devices in ways that endanger the lives of others, and ourselves, every single day. It’s a serious matter, requiring a greater diligence from all of us.
After an Accident with a Distracted Driver
If you get into an accident caused by the negligence of a distracted driver, there are some important steps you must take in order to try and ensure the best possible outcome for you and your family:
- Document the accident if you’re able. Take photos of the damages to your vehicle, and of any injuries you may have. Check the scene for anything that may also be important to document.
- If there were witnesses to the collision, make sure you get their contact information so that you can get in touch with them later.
- Call the police. It’s important to get the authorities involved so that they can document what they see, and create a police report. And make sure you get the police report from them later on, that’s an important source of information.
- Get the other driver’s insurance information and a way to contact them in the future.
- Get medical help right away. Your health is the most important thing, so don’t hesitate to get treatment. And be sure to document all of your medical expenses.
- Contact a distracted driving attorney. An experienced and capable lawyer will be able to inform you of your options and of the best way to proceed. If you decide to file a personal injury claim, your attorney will be an invaluable asset and guide through what can be a difficult process.
Further Reading: National Pedestrian Safety Month
Contact Our Colorado Springs Distracted Driving Accident Attorneys Today
Have you or a loved one been injured by the negligent actions of a distracted driver? Are you concerned you won’t have the money to pay medical bills and lost expenses? If so, you need an experienced Colorado Springs distracted driving accident lawyer on your side to help you fight for justice.
Contact the dedicated attorneys at the Green Law Firm, P.C. today by calling (719) 694-8515, or by filling out the contact form on this page, to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation and discuss your case.