Whether it’s using a cell phone to make a call, send a text or using a GPS, distracted driving is inherently dangerous. For younger, inexperienced drivers, cell phone use can be fatal.
In Delaware, cell phone use caused 138 accidents in 2011. While that number might seem low, cell phone use when driving in this state is a serious issue. In fact, according to the Office of Highway Safety, Delaware law enforcement issues roughly 10,000 cell phone citations per year.
Given that Delaware’s highways are widely traveled by residents of other states such as Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia, these folks are often unaware of Delaware’s ban on cell phone use when driving. Read more about Delaware law banning cell phone use when driving.
Three Common Accident Scenarios Involving Cell Phone Use
Below are three common car accident scenarios which often occur as a result of cell phone use:
1. Rear end accident. Rear end accidents commonly occur due to inattention. A driver who is not paying attention to traffic or a traffic signal may slam into the car in front which may be stopped or accelerating from a stopped position. Cell phone use is a common kind of distracted driving which results in these kinds of accidents. Rear end accidents of course, can and do occur without cell phone use. However, cell phone use, whether talking or texting, causes a driver to take their eyes off the road. Due to the mechanics of the body being in a seated position when struck from behind, neck and low back injuries are common in rear end accidents.
2. Intersection/T-bone accident. Like rear end accidents, intersection or T-bone accidents occur due to driver inattention such as cell phone use. For example, someone texting a short message may take their eyes off the road for a mere second or two, which is enough time to enter an intersection and cause an accident. Whether it’s running a red light or a stop sign, or failing to yield the right of way to oncoming traffic, intersection accidents tend to result in serious injuries. Broken bones and head injuries in addition to neck and back injuries are common.
3. Head on collision. Head on collisions tend to result in the most serious kinds of injuries and are often caused by cell phone use. An inexperienced driver who is using a cell phone may drift into oncoming traffic without realizing it and end up hitting another car. Alternatively, a driver using a cell phone may swerve and/or overcompensate by crossing a center line and then strike a car coming in the opposite direction. At high speeds, head on collisions are often fatal.
Related content:
- Recovering Medical Bills in a Delaware Car or Truck Accident Case
- Pain and Suffering Damages in a Car/Truck Accident Case in Delaware
Delaware Car & Truck Accident Lawyer with Over 30 Years of Experience
Since 1982, Martin Knepper has served residents of Delaware in all personal injury matters, including car accidents and truck accidents. If you’ve been in a car accident due to cell phone use, contact our accident lawyers and ask for a free consultation. (302) 658.1717
Our lawyers serve residents throughout the Delaware area, including: Wilmington, Newark, Dover, Middletown, and Smyrna. We also represent residents of other states such as Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and Virginia who are injured in car or truck accidents while in Delaware. For more information, please contact us.
*Disclaimer: Every case is unique and you should not take any action or make decisions in your case without speaking to a qualified car and truck accident lawyer in Delaware. This website page does not provide any legal advice or create any attorney-client relationship. Use of the contact form on this website or emailing one of our lawyers does not create any attorney-client relationship. In addition, confidential information should not be sent through the contact form.
