Hospital visits caused by smartphone-related injuries have risen dramatically over the past twenty years. The majority of victims are teens and adults in their twenties. Distracted driving, walking, and texting accidents were cited as the primary causes of these injury accidents.
The Houston injury lawyers at West Loop Law and the Law Office of Nhan Nguyen, MD, JD want everyone to stay safe while on the road or traveling by foot, so we have compiled some information to help you understand trends in Texas and across the country in order to better protect yourself and loved ones from suffering serious injuries.
Distracted Driving Injury Statistics
The National Safety Council reported that 2,841 people were recently killed in distraction-related accidents in the span of a year. The Governor’s Highway Safety Association reported that there were more than 6,000 pedestrians fatalities that year — the highest figure in over twenty years.
When Do Distracted Phone-Related Accidents Happen?
It is no real secret that people are highly dependent on their phones. In fact, recent statistics show that nearly 96% of the population has a cellphone. Because people are using their phones everywhere these days, a serious injury accident can happen at nearly anytime — especially if the user is not really paying attention to their surroundings.
Some common situations contributing to smartphone-related accidents include:
- Distracted driving. A driver who is talking, texting, browning social media, or using other smartphone apps can easily cause a catastrophic car accident. Distracted driving may strike another vehicle, cyclist, or pedestrian, and the resulting injuries can be potentially life-changing.
- Distracted walking. Pedestrians who are paying more attention to their phones than where they are going are commonly the victims of serious crashes. Distracted pedestrians may fail to notice signals at intersections or may not see an oncoming vehicle while crossing at an intersection. They may also trip and fall while walking, resulting in severe injuries to the head and face, hands and wrists, knees and hips, and other areas of the body.
Injuries Caused by Distracted Phone Use
From 1998 to 2017, a total of 76,043 patients suffered injuries to the head and neck caused by cellphone use in the United States. The most commonly reported injuries include:
- Lacerations (26.3% of the estimated total)
- Contusions (24.5% of the estimated total)
- Internal injury (18.4% of the estimated total)
Texas Laws on Cellphone Use
In Texas, the state has banned the use of wireless communications devices for texting and electronic messaging while behind the wheel, meaning that:
- Drivers are unable to send or receive electronic messages while operating a motor vehicle
- Those who have a learner’s permit are not allowed to use handheld cellphones in their first six months of driving.
- Drivers younger than 18 cannot use wireless communications devices while operating a motor vehicle.
- It is illegal for any driver to text or use a handheld device while traveling in a school zone.
Car Wreck Attorneys in Houston
Distracted driving is growing rapidly across the country, contributing to more and more serious collisions each year. In 2018, an estimated 2,800 people were killed in distracted driving accidents in the United States, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That year, more than 400,000 people were injured in distracted driving accidents.
Car crashes are the leading cause of death and serious injury in the state of Texas, and injured parties are often overwhelmed by significant damages in the aftermath of a collision. You need to know that you’re not alone after being unfairly injured in a Houston car wreck. If you are wondering if you have a case for lost compensation, the Houston car crash attorneys West Loop Law and the Law Office of Nhan Nguyen, MD, JD has you covered. The sooner you give us a call, the sooner we can help you obtain the compensation you need and deserve. Contact our law offices at 713-840-7200 to discuss your case today.
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