In today’s technology-based world, drivers are more focused on their cell phones than they are on the road in front of them. This distraction can prove highly dangerous. Think about it this way: at 60 mph, a vehicle travels 88 feet per second. What that means is that if the driver looks down for 2 seconds to read a text, they just covered 176, which is more than half of a football field!
As a result, more news headlines reporting pedestrian accidents are popping up every day, many even ending in fatalities.
At the end of July, an elderly woman was struck while crossing the street in Santa Ana. She was put on life support but ultimately died a day later. Police officers reported that drugs and/or alcohol were not a factor in the accident, simply saying that the driver responsible for the accident hit the woman while making a left turn.
Also in July, a young man in Saugus was fatally hit while making his way through an intersection. He was declared dead at the scene after an SUV reportedly struck the teen. Reports indicate that the SUV driver was cooperative with police officers and willingly gave a statement.
Is Distracted Driving to Blame?
In cases like these, where it seems that alcohol or drugs were not the problem, a safe question seems to be – then what is the problem? Studies clearly indicate that there is a link between distracted driving and traffic accidents. One report showed that nearly one in five crashes in which someone was injured involved distracted driving.
While the main source of distraction comes from cell phones, other causes are equally dangerous. Eating, fiddling with the radio, and talking to passengers can take a driver’s focus from where it should be while behind the wheel. The pedestrian accidents caused by this lack of focus are extremely serious and the victims often suffer with the consequences for a lifetime.
At Cohn & Swartzon, P.C., we believe that those suffering from pedestrian accidents deserve justice. Whether you are the victim or you have lost a loved one in such an accident, our firm can help you pursue compensation for your pain and suffering. Backed by more than 30 years of combined legal experience, there is no case too complex for our Orange County personal injury lawyers.
Call our firm today to find out how we can help! Your best interests are our top priority.
