Study: Distracted Driving Leading to Increased Injuries
A recent study that appeared in a division of the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that the number of cell phone related head and neck injuries in recent years has increased, likely in response to the popularization of smartphones. A significant number of those injured by cell phone related activities indicated that they were distracted by their cell phones, and that distraction had a part in causing their injury. There were even some cases of people admitted to the emergency room claiming that their injury resulted from being distracted by the mobile phone game, Pokémon Go. When it comes to driving distracted, it is estimated that between 1998 and 2018, 7240 injuries to the head or neck were sustained while a driver was using a cell phone, and 1022 injuries to the head or neck were sustained from car accidents while texting and driving.
This study did not include a figure for drivers that sustained a head or neck injury due to another driver on the road being distracted, but one can assume that those people who were injured while using a cell phone and driving, were also putting other people in danger. By failing to pay attention to the road, the injured drivers included in this study may have also caused similar injuries to other drivers.
Most people know that driving distracted is dangerous, but this study gives concrete evidence about some of the consequences of distracted driving, demonstrating that it has led to numerous head and neck injuries, which can be life changing. In order to be a safe driver for yourself, your passengers, and other drivers sharing the road, giving undivided attention to your surroundings is critical.
If you or a loved one has sustained a serious injury due to someone failing to give their undivided attention to the road, it is important to consult with a personal injury attorney early to investigate your options, and preserve crucial evidence. For assistance with these matters, please contact us to learn more.
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About the author: Peter J. Gregory is a partner with the firm. He is a trial lawyer with extensive experience resolving disputes in state and federal trial courts. His personal injury practice focusses on advising clients who have been injured or lost loved ones in accidents caused by the carelessness or recklessness of others. Please feel free to contact him directly at pgregory@mccmlaw.com or (585) 512-3506.
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McConville Considine Cooman & Morin, P.C. is a full-service law firm based in Rochester, New York, providing high-quality legal services to businesses and individuals since 1979. With over a dozen attorneys and a full paralegal support staff, the firm is well-positioned to right-size services tailored to each client. We are large enough to provide expertise in a broad range of practice areas, yet small enough to devote prompt, personal attention to our clients.
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