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The attorneys of Daughtry, Woodard, Lawrence, & Starling
The attorneys of Daughtry, Woodard, Lawrence, & Starling

Distracted drivers could put you at unnecessary risk

On Behalf of | Jun 25, 2019 | Uncategorized

Driving in a responsible manner is one of the tacit agreements involved in the use of public roadways. The community funds the construction and maintenance of roads, and community members agree to collectively abide by the rules set to keep the roadways as safe as possible.

The steps you take to stay safe likely include avoiding intoxicating substances before driving and making sure that distraction, such as the use of a mobile phone, doesn’t keep you from arriving at your destination safely. Sadly, even though you take necessary steps to abide by relevant traffic laws, not everyone on the road will do the same.

Every time you go for a drive, you likely cross paths with several people violating both North Carolina traffic laws and safety best practices. Distracted drivers staring down at their cellphones will be one of the groups of dangerous drivers you encounter on the road on any given day.

Texting while driving is dangerous even if it isn’t currently illegal

There continues to be a lot of confusion regarding the legality or illegality of texting at the wheel. Some people assume it’s illegal in all 50 states. Others believe only teenagers are subject to texting and driving bans. The truth is that these laws vary from state to state.

Currently, adults in North Carolina do not break the law when they talk on the phone or text. However, that will likely change in the upcoming months. A bill creating penalties for mobile phone violations while driving has passed the House of Representatives and begun its process of moving through the Senate.

However, if you get into a crash caused by a distracted driver before the state makes it illegal, you should know that you still have rights and options. After all, even if texting at the wheel isn’t overtly illegal, it is clearly still a violation of best driving practices. In other words, texting at the wheel is most likely a form of negligence. That means that you could take civil action against someone who causes property damage or injury because they text while driving.

Hold other people accountable for their poor decisions

All too often, the people who make bad decisions aren’t the ones who have to pay the price for the consequences those decisions create. Distracted drivers can cause crashes that injure other people or cost them thousands of dollars in property damage.

No one should have to bear a financial burden because of another individual’s negligence and irresponsibility. Whether a distracted driver damaged your classic car or left you with massive medical bills, it may be time to sit down with an experienced attorney and talk about your options for connecting with compensation.