Almost everyone these days has a smart phone. It sometimes feels like it is impossible to get away from the constant texts, emails, Snapchats and social media updates. But as tempting as it is, is it legal to text while driving in Nebraska?
Nebraska, along with 40 other states, ban texting while driving. Distracted driving is a leading cause of car accidents in the state. In 2015, there were over 4,400 car accidents that involved distracted driving and 12 were fatal. Distracted driving crashes have increased over 20 percent in recent years. A driver may think they can take their eyes off the road for a second to read a text or Facebook post, but the truth is, any amount of time a driver is distracted can result in an accident. An accident can happen in a split second -- a driver may accidentally swerve into another lane, they may swerve and hit a pedestrian or they may swerve off the road and roll their car several times. Any number of accident scenarios can occur that affect both the driver and anyone they meet on the road.
Along with driving drunk and speeding, distracted driving is one of the leading causes of accidents in Nebraska. If a person has been affected by an accident with a distracted driver, they may want to speak with a personal injury attorney. An attorney can help their client get answers as to what caused the accident. If negligence is suspected, compensation may be sought for medical expenses, future medical expenses, pain and suffering and other damages.
No one ever expects they will be in an accident involving a distracted driver. But, these accidents are occurring all too frequently and affecting too many families in Nebraska. So, when behind the wheel, drivers should avoid the temptation to check their smart phones, so they do not pose a danger to themselves or others on the road.
Source: dhhs.ne.gov, "Distracted driving in Nebraska", accessed on Nov. 26, 2017
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