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California Texting While Driving Attorney

Texting While Driving Endangers Pedestrians, Too

Although the state of California has a ban on texting while driving, which took effect January 1, 2009, many people are still engaging in that practice. After all, the penalty for the first offense is only $20, so many people feel that it is not that big a deal. While texting may be dangerous because it creates motor vehicle crashes with other cars on the road, there are other victims out there, as well, according to California personal injury attorneys – pedestrians.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, pedestrian crash deaths have declined a bit, over recent years. But that leads one to wonder whether that is because people are afraid and therefore avoid walking or jogging down the road, rather than because those in the vehicles are being more cautious about nearby pedestrians. Even so, they report that pedestrian deaths from motor vehicle accidents account for 12 percent of all the yearly crash deaths.

Furthermore, many of those involved in pedestrian accidents are on sidewalks, crosswalks, traffic islands, and median strips when the accidents take place. Even in cases where death does not occur, there can be serious injuries to the head, back, legs, and pelvis. When this happens, one of the most important steps the victim, or their family, can take is to consult a California personal injury attorney.

Those who continue to engage in sending and reading text messages while driving are at an increased risk of getting into accidents. This puts pedestrians at greater risk, as well, because of their close proximity to the street, while the driver is taking their eyes off the road, which often leads to the vehicle drifting.

In fact, this past summer, the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute conducted research that found that those who text while driving are 23 times likelier to be involved in a collision. At this point, enforcing the texting ban is proving to be a tough task for California law enforcement to carry out.

If you are someone who jogs, walks regularly or bike rides, or you find yourself occasionally out on the road, be aware that there is an increased risk for pedestrian accidents. Children who walk to and from school each day are also at an increased risk of pedestrian accidents. If you have been, or become, a victim of a pedestrian accident, contact a California personal injury attorney to see what legal options are available to you. They know the laws and your needs as an injured pedestrian, and they can assist you in understanding the laws, and what your next step may be.

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