Woman Killed In Fatal Crash Due to Distracted Driving, Investigators Say
In late April, a woman driving southbound on Business 85 in High Point was killed after her vehicle crossed the median and collided head-on into a truck. According to investigators, it is believed that the woman was using Facebook seconds before the crash occurred.
Investigators were informed of Facebook posts the victim made around the same time the fatal accident occurred by friends and family members. By comparing times, investigators discovered that the woman had made a Facebook post about the song "Happy" just seconds before the collision. Investigators also traced the woman's online activity around the time, and discovered that she had also been taking pictures. While this accident is an incredible tragedy, it helps reveal just how dangerous distracted driving can be on public roads and highways.
The Dangers of Distracted Driving
Distracted driving accidents such as this are not an unusual occurrence. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving has become a nationwide epidemic responsible for thousands of injuries and deaths each year. Text messaging and using a cellphone are considered the most dangerous forms of distracted driving, as they commands a drivers' physical, manual, and cognitive attention simultaneously, and greatly increases crash risks.
At Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC, our West Virginia personal injury lawyers have seen the tragic aftermath of distracted driving many times. In fact, our legal team is currently representing a client who was tragically injured after a driver crashed into his vehicle. It was discovered that the driver had sent and received hundreds of text messages and received dozens of calls on the day of the accident. Some of the texts were made at the time or within seconds of the collision.
Distracted driving places everyone at risk and is entirely preventable. It is also a form of negligence not limited to young drivers. We have seen cases in which middle aged adults, truckers, company delivery men and other motorists have caused harm because they drove distracted.
Our firm fights on behalf of victims injured by motorists who were texting or distracted and works to obtain all time and cell phone activity records in these cases. This information is critical in proving distracted was the cause of the accident.
If you have questions about your rights after an auto accident caused by a distracted driver, call 888-720-1001 for a free case evaluation.