The emergence of smartphones and on-board infotainment systems has led to a dangerous epidemic of distracted driving.
At every moment of the day, it is estimated that more than 660,000 people are using their cellphones while driving. In 2017 alone, distracted drivers claimed 3,166 lives and caused thousands of injuries, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The National Safety Council has reported that cellphone use while driving causes more than 1.6 million crashes every single year. Even worse, because it is often difficult to prove distracted driving, these statistics may be just the tip of the iceberg.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a distracted driving accident in Arkansas, your whole world may have been turned upside down in the blink of an eye. You are entitled to seek compensation for your injuries and for the damages you have suffered. The at-fault distracted driver is responsible for compensating you and your loved ones after a serious accident.
Unfortunately, receiving the money you need – and deserve – isn’t always easy. Without an experienced car accident attorney on your side, you may not recover enough to pay all of your expenses and losses, both now and in the future. At Rainwater, Holt & Sexton, our distracted driving attorneys are here to help every step of the way.
We’ll connect you with a talented car accident lawyer to ensure that you get the full compensation you deserve.
According to the CDC, there are three types of distractions a driver can face when they’re behind the wheel.
A visual distraction is anything that takes your eyes off of the road. Examples of visual distractions would be reading a text message, reading your GPS instructions, or putting on makeup in the car.
A manual distraction is anything that takes your hands off of the wheel while driving. Examples of manual distractions could be turning the radio controls, texting and driving, or reaching for an object on the floor.
A cognitive distraction is anything that takes your mind off of the task of driving. Some examples of cognitive distractions could include talking on a hands-free device, using voice-controlled texting, or listening to a podcast.
Texting while driving is so dangerous because it involves all three types of distractions at once. In order to send and receive text messages, you need to look at the screen, think of what you want to say, then use your fingers to type the message. States across the country have enacted anti-texting laws and bans to prevent texting while driving.
Arkansas has some of the strictest cell phone laws in the country. In 2009 Arkansas made it illegal for anyone in the state to text on an electronic device while driving. Drivers who are caught texting and driving could be ticketed and fined up to $100. In March 2017, Arkansas enacted Paul’s law, a piece of legislation that increased the penalties for texting drivers and included penalties for any use of social media or smartphones while driving.
Paul’s law was named after a Jonesboro father of three who was killed in a head-on collision by a driver who was typing a text at the time. This law increases the penalties for each additional offense, similar to the state’s DUI laws.
There are some notable exceptions to the law. Drivers are allowed to use their smartphones if they’re reporting illegal activity, trying to get medical or emergency assistance, trying to prevent an injury to a person or property, or using a GPS system.
In Arkansas, the “Fewer Distractions Means Safer Driving Act” outlines restrictions on cell phone use while driving. Under this law, different age groups have different restrictions when it comes to making voice calls.
Talking on the phone is still a dangerous act because it takes your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel, and your mind off the task of driving. Even if it is legal to use your smartphone while driving, safety experts urge all drivers to put it away until they’ve reached their destination—it can wait.
Arkansas drivers are allowed to use map apps and navigational apps while they are driving. However, the Department of Transportation warns that this can be just as dangerous as texting and driving. If you need to use navigation while driving, it is best to set your destination in the app ahead of time before you hit the road. Once you’ve set your destination, turn on voice navigation and resist the urge to look at the map while you are driving. If you need to reroute or choose a different destination, pull off the road and go somewhere safe to avoid driving distracted.
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In Arkansas, two areas prohibit ALL wireless phone usage of any kind:
Cellphones are responsible for numerous traffic deaths, distracted driving accidents, pedestrian accidents, and child fatalities. In fact, they account for 15% of all driving fatalities in the United States every year.
If you are injured in an accident with a distracted driver in Arkansas, do you know what to do after an accident? It is important to remain calm and follow the same steps you would take after any accident, including:
Distracted driving accidents in Arkansas are often serious and sometimes even fatal.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident with a distracted driver, contact an experienced and skilled Arkansas distracted driving lawyer immediately. Insurance companies don’t always want to play fair with injured accident victims. That’s why you need a law firm on your side from the start. Never sign anything without first speaking to one of our accident lawyers.
We can help you through this difficult time. With offices throughout Arkansas – Little Rock, Springdale, Conway, Hot Springs, Bryant, Jacksonville, and Jonesboro – our car accident attorneys fight aggressively for your future and will negotiate with the auto insurance companies on your behalf every step of the way.
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