Distracted Driving Awareness Month Highlights a Serious Danger

Pittsburgh drivers are reminded to pay attention and focus on the road

We’ve all seen distracted drivers on the road in Pittsburgh and other busy cities. Sometimes, it’s people recklessly texting and driving. Other times, it’s someone carelessly eating while driving or looking up directions while they’re going 70 miles per hour on a highway.

Not surprisingly, distracted drivers often cause serious car accidents. That’s why End Distracted Driving and other national organizations have designated April as Distracted Driving Awareness Month. EndDD.org was founded by Joel Feldman, whose 21-year-old daughter was killed while crossing the street by a distracted driver.

“I can’t bring my daughter back, but I can talk to kids,” Feldman said in an interview with NPR News. “I’m very, very fortunate talking to some wonderful kids across the country, and it’s the young who are going to change how we’re going to drive.”

How common is distracted driving?

In recent years, distracted driving has quickly become one of the leading causes of car accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

8 percent of all fatal car accidents are caused by distracted drivers.
15 percent of car accidents that result in an injury occur due to distracted drivers.
An estimated 400,000 people are injured in accidents each year caused by distracted drivers.
Each year in the U.S., an estimated 3,100 people die in distracted driving accidents.

In addition, cyclists and pedestrians are especially vulnerable and are often injured in accidents caused by drivers not paying attention. Specifically, an estimated 20 percent of fatal distracted driving accidents involve pedestrians or cyclists.

Younger drivers are also more likely to cause distracted driving accidents. In particular, 58 percent of accidents caused by teen drivers occur due to distracted driving.

Pennsylvania distracted driving statistics

Like a lot of states, distracted driving often plays a major role in car accidents in Pennsylvania. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (Penn DOT), distracted drivers cause more than 14,000 car accidents each year. Such figures add up to anywhere from 11 to 15 percent of all car accidents in Pennsylvania caused by distracted drivers each year. This is why texting while driving – one of the most dangerous activities for drivers – is against the law in Pennsylvania.

What to do if you get hit by a distracted driver

If you or a loved one is injured in a car accident in Pennsylvania caused by a distracted driver, you usually have several legal options to obtain the financial compensation you deserve. Depending on what type of car insurance you have and the circumstances of your crash, your options can include:

File an accident claim with your own insurance company.
File an injury claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
File a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver or the at-fault driver’s insurance company.

Whichever option you choose, an experienced attorney familiar with Pennsylvania’s unique laws and insurance system can help you through every step of the process.

We’re the car accident lawyers Pittsburgh counts on

You might think you don’t need an attorney if a distracted driver clearly caused your collision. But you would be surprised how complicated and confusing some accident claims can become in Pennsylvania. This is why it’s critical that you have a personal injury lawyer on your side who knows how the system works.

At Romanow Law Group, our experienced Pittsburgh car accident lawyers can work with you to build a strong case that gets results. We know the law and understand what it takes to win, and we promise to fight for every dollar you’re entitled to.

Put your trust in a law firm that puts your needs first. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Pittsburgh car accident attorney.