If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an accident, it is important that you begin looking out for your best interests.

Rise in automobile accident numbers linked to smartphone use

by | Mar 2, 2017 | Uncategorized

Studies are done on a regular basis to determine the cause of car accidents and to try and find ways to reduce their frequency. For drivers in Illinois and across the nation, this information should be factored in when heading out on the road as a driver, passenger, bicyclist or pedestrian. Because a person can become a victim of a crash without warning, knowing how it happened is just as vital as understanding what they will face in its aftermath. This is particularly important if it is a fatal car accident.

A study by the insurance company State Farm indicates that there has been an increase in car accidents in the U.S. The rise in car accidents has, in turn, led to an increase in insurance rates for consumers. A common reason for the rise in accidents is believed to be drivers using their smartphones while driving. According to the study, a survey showed that 36 percent of participants admitted that they texted while driving; twenty-nine percent said they surfed the internet while behind the wheel. In total, the number of people who took part in the study and owned a smartphone rose from slightly more than half in 2011 to 88 percent in 2015.

It is not known how direct the link between smartphone use and accidents is, but the researchers assert that the issue could be worse than initially believed. This is because a large number of drivers in crashes do not openly state that they were using their smartphones when there was an accident. Other factors that might influence the increase in crashes include cheaper gas prices and the economic recovery in the U.S., as this allows people to drive more often and raises the number of people on the road, naturally increasing the chances of an accident.

People who are injured in a car crash or lose a loved one in a fatal car accident need to be cognizant of the potential causes of it. Distracted driving is a growing problem that is affecting many. An investigation is imperative to garner evidence to determine whether a lawsuit should be filed. Given the amount of pain and suffering, financial costs and more that will arise after an accident, knowing its cause is paramount. Speaking to a legal professional after an automobile accident can help with filing a case.

Source: phonearena.com, “Smartphone use is driving traffic accident numbers and car insurance rates up, study claims,” Milen Y., Feb. 21, 2017

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