Cell Phone Accidents

Cell phone accidents are preventable. Nationwide, traffic deaths have declined but in Pennsylvania traffic fatalities increased during 2010.

Did you know that studies have been done demonstrating how distracting cell phone usage is? Just listening to a cell phone while driving, is a significant distraction and causes drivers to commit some of the same driving errors which occur when under the influence of alcohol. Using a cell phone while driving, whether handheld or hands-free, delays a driver’s reactions as much as having a blood alcohol concentration at the legal limit of .08 percent.

As of May 2011, Pennsylvania does not have a cell phone law banning usage while driving although some cities in Central Pa. do have some cell phone restrictions based on local ordinances. Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Wilkes-Barre, Erie, and Allentown have banned cell phone use by drivers unless a hands-free attachment is in use. Conshohocken and Lebanon have hands free driving laws too. Because there are no state laws, no signs can be posted on state highways that run through those cities.

The negative consequences of cell phone accidents have reached epidemic proportions nationally and in our own corner of Central Pa.

If your loved one has suffered serious injuries or died from a preventable cell phone accident, please contact me. Let’s talk about your legal options and whether a lawsuit and settlement may be in your future.