The accelerated growth of technology over the years has greatly improved our daily lives at home and in the office, but has proven to be quite dangerous on the road. Driving while distracted by the use of handheld devices such as cell  phones, laptops and personal tablets has become an epidemic in this country and is now considered a leading cause of car accidents throughout the United States.

It only takes a minute for a driver to divert their attention away from the road and cause a serious distracted driving accident. The Philadelphia car accident lawyers at Geoffrey B. Gompers & Associates represent injured victims involved in all types of automobile accidents in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, including those caused by a distracted driver.

Thousands of People Die Each Year at the Hands of a Distracted Driver

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are more than 3,000 deaths each year as a result of distracting driving accidents. Studies have shown that at any given time during daylight hours, there are over 100,000 drivers texting while driving and more than 600,000 drivers operating their vehicles while talking with their phones held to their ears.

In 2011, there were 3,331 people killed in auto accidents in which distracted driving was determined to be the cause. Additionally, 387,000 more people were injured in distracted driving accidents. The tragedy of these accidents is that they are preventable.

Texting While Driving is Considered the Most Dangerous Distracted Driving Behavior

Driving requires the coordination of three things: visual attention, mental concentration, and the manual use of your hands. An action that interferes with any of these three things diverts your attention away from the task of driving. Cell phone use is the most common distraction that affects driver performance. Texting is especially dangerous because it requires a driver to use their eyes, hands, and mind. A study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute determined that individuals who text while driving are 23.2 times more likely to be involved in an accident. Driving while texting is particularly prevalent among drivers under the age of 20.

It is important to understand that texting is not the only distraction that causes accidents. There are many other activities that can divert a driver’s attention from the road. These include:

• Adjusting controls in the car such as the radio, CD or temperature
• Drinking or eating while driving
• Personal grooming such as applying makeup or using an electric razor
• Reading a map, book or newspaper
• Talking on a cell phone
• Talking to other passengers in the vehicle
• Using a global positioning system (GPS) or navigation system

Choosing to engage in any of these activities while operating a motor vehicle is careless and irresponsible. Not only is the driver at risk for serious injury, but also any passengers in their vehicle, nearby pedestrians and passengers in other vehicles.

Geoffrey B. Gompers & Associates:  Compassionate Philadelphia Car Accident Attorneys Protecting the Rights of Individuals Injured in a Distracted Driving Accident

Philadelphia car accident attorneys have witnessed firsthand the devastating consequences that distracted driving can have on innocent victims. Sadly, we have represented numerous clients who have suffered catastrophic injuries that have forever changed their lives and the lives of their families. We have dedicated a key area of our practice to protecting and defending the rights of these victims and fighting to hold the negligent drivers accountable for their reckless behavior.

If you or someone you love has been harmed or fatally injured in a car accident caused by the negligence of a distracted driver, our highly skilled and experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyers can help you. You may have the right to seek compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, ongoing treatments, medications, and your pain and suffering. Our offices are conveniently located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Voorhees, New Jersey and we represent accident victims throughout both states. Call Geoffrey B. Gompers & Associates today at 215-567-6600 or 856-663-2566 to schedule a free consultation or contact us online.