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Seattle Distracted Driving Accident Attorney

Texing While Driving Accident Lawsuits and Distracted Driving Settlements in Washington State

Washington State has very strict laws against distracted driving. Sending text messages on a cell phone or other mobile device while driving a motor vehicle is against the law.  And drivers who wish to talk on a cell phone must use a hands-free device so they are not distracted by their mobile phone while driving a vehicle.  These laws exist because distracted driving is a real threat.  If you have been injured in a collision caused by a someone that was texting while driving you may need the help of a Seattle distracted driving accident attorney.

Davis Law Group frequently handles motor vehicle accidents and/or rear-end collisions that were caused by a distracted driver.  If you have been injured by a driver who was talking on a cell phone or texting while driving at the time of the accident we can help you get justice for your case and financial compensation or your injuries.  Call us at 206-727-4000 to schedule a free legal consultation to get your distracted driving law questions answered and your legal options explained. 

Statistics: Death Due To Distracted Driving

It has been estimated that, at any given moment, over 800,000 Americans were texting, making calls, or using a handheld cell phone while driving a motor vehicle during the day.  In 2008, distracted driving motor vehicle accidents killed nearly 6,000 Americans.  

Washington State Distracted Driving Accident Statistics

Between 2004 and 2008, distracted driving in Washington State contributed to 758 deaths, which is an average of 152 deaths per year. Distracted driving was involved in 25.8% (758 of 2,941) of all traffic deaths during the five year period.

In Washington state early 90% of distracted driving involved deaths were vehicle drivers and their passengers; another 9.8% were pedestrians.  Forty-two percent of all distracted driving accident deaths in Washington happen in King, Pierce, Yakima, Snohomish and 
Thurston counties.

The greatest number of deaths in Washington that involve distracted driving accident occur between 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM--during rush hour.  Half (382 of 758; 50.5%) of distracted driving involved deaths occurred on Friday, Saturday, or Saturday.

Collision data collected by crash investigators underreports driver distraction. Often no evidence of distraction exists at the crash scene and drivers are reluctant to admit distraction played a role in the crash.

Rear-Ended by a Distracted Driver in Washington

A large percentage of rear-end accident are caused by a distracted driver who “looked away for just a second” to review a text message or to dial a number, failed to notice that traffic ahead had slowed or stopped and then slammed into another driver. 

Federal Distracted Driving Law

On January 26, 2010 a federal law went into effect that bans drivers of commercial (buses and trucks) vehicles in the United States from texting or using handheld cellphones while driving.  Those who ar caught violating this law are subject to a $2,750 fine. 

Washington State Distracted Driving Law

In Washington State sending a text message or talking on a cell phone use without a hands free device while operating a motor vehicle a primary offense.  This allows state and local police officers to issue tickets to drivers based solely on the officer's observation of text messaging or illegal cell phone use.  The fine for the offense is $124. 

Law Firm Representing Victims of Texting / Talking Accidents - Free Consultations

Davis Law Group and attorney Chris Davis has been featured in news reports on these local and national news sources:

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Blog for Distracted Driving Accidents

• Should Every Distracted Driving Behavior Be Illegal?
• Phone Technology to Prevent Teenagers From Distracted Driving
• Drunk Man Crashed into Garage While Texting
• Driver Talking on Phone 1.3 Times More Likely to Crash
• Can You Keep Your Eyes on the Road When Your Phone is Ringing?
• 'Distracted Driving Kills, Safe Driving Starts With You'
• NHTSA Texting While Driving Campain in Theaters
• All State Insurance Company Brings Texting While Driving PSA to Theaters
• Web Browsing While Driving: Bigger Problem Than Texting?
• Poll Shows 90% of Drivers Engage in Dangerous, Distracted Behavior
• Update: NTSB Recommends Full Ban on Cell Phone Use While Driving
• AT&T Texting While Driving Campaign: Shocking Statistics
• Eastlake High Student Selected to Join National Texting While Driving Campaign
• New Article: Voice-Activated Technology Eliminates Manual Texting While Driving
• Ford Installs New Talking Text Message Feature to Prevent Distracted Driving
• National Heads Up Driving Week Reminds Drivers to Refrain from Distracting Behavior
• 370 Washington State Drivers Violated 'Talking on Cell Phone' Law in September
• AT&T Launches New App to Stop Texting While Driving
• Can the New iPhone 4S Features Make Driving Safer?
• Should Arizona Enforce Same Texting While Driving Law as Washington?

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Library for Distracted Driving Accidents:

• Ford Offers New Technology to Prevent Distracted Driving Through Cell Phone Use   
  A new car control system by Ford targets distracted driving for teenage drivers. MyKey allows parents to set speed, music and mobile phone limits for new drivers
• Is Voice-Recognition Technology the Answer to Distracted Driving?   
  Siri is the new voice-activated personal assistant on the new iPhone 4S, that was highly raved about in its early October release.
• Distracted Driving: Epidemic on U.S. Roadways With No Promising Solution   
  There is no evidence that banning cell phone use while driving is effective, according to a report by the Governor's Highway Safety Association.
• Accident Report: Federal Way Rear-end Cell Phone Texting Accident   
  stopped for the traffic light at the intersection of 348th/Highway 18 and Enchanted Parkway. While lawfully stopped, she was suddenly slammed from behind by CSH. It is believed that CSH may have been talking or texting on a cell phone at the time of the accident.
• Accident Report: I-5 Talking On A Cell Phone While Driving and DUI Accident   
  On December 23, 2007 R.A. was riding with her husband, J.S., traveling northbound on Interstate 5. As they were stopped in traffic, they were unexpectedly hit.
• Distracted Driving Statistics: Cell Phones Causing Car Accidents   
  Statistics show that distracted drivers who are talking on cell phones are causing thousands of car accidents each year.
• Bus Driver On Cell Phone Kills Pedestrian   
  In Clevland, Ohio a bus driver has been charged with aggravated vehicular homicide in connection with the death of a pedestrian who was stuck by the bus while the driver was using a cell phone.
• Cell Phones Cause Car Accidents l Seattle Personal Injury Attorney   
  Using a cell phone while driving is convenient, but it's not worth the risk of an accident. Motorists caused approximately 700 accidents while using cell phones last year in Washington state. Numerous studies from insurance companies and transportation authorities also continue to prove that cell-phone use increases the probability of a car accident.
• Cell Phone Texting: A Car Accident Waiting to Happen l Kent Lawyer   
  The risk of getting into an auto accident while reading or writing text messages is 50 percent higher than talking on a phone while driving, according to study.
• Washington Bans Talking and Texting While Driving l Seattle Lawyer   
  States are expected to pursue distraction laws in 2008, with a particular focus on inexperienced drivers.
• New Washington State Law On Texting While Driving l Accident Lawyer   
  Under a new law that takes effect January 1, 2008, drivers who read and compose text messages could face a $124 ticket. If texting while driving leads to a car accident, the ticket could increase to $175.
• Texting While Driving Is Illegal In Washington State l Car Accident   
  On Jan. 1, sending a text message while behind the wheel could incur a fine of up to $101. According to a new Washington state law aimed at curbing road deaths.
• Lawmakers putting brakes on dialing while driving   
  Although the data remains sparse, experts say most phone-related crashes occur during conversation, not while dialing, which would suggest hands-free headsets are not particularly effective.
• Car Accidents And Eating While Driving l Seattle Attorney   
  They may not think it's safe, but most drivers responding to a new poll admit to keeping one eye and one hand on a meal while driving.
• Washington State Cell Phone Driving Laws l Car Accident Lawyer   
  Several states restrict cell phone use while driving automobiles. Many states have identified cell phone use by novice drivers as an emerging highway safety problem, the cause of many car accident and have thus restricted the practice.
• Voters Want Strict Cell Phone Driving Laws l Seattle Injury Lawyer   
  For the past six years, Sen. Tracey Eide, D-Auburn, has been trying to pass a bill in Washington against hand-held cell phone driving, which would make ours the third state to do so.

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Web Resources for Distracted Driving Accidents:

• Focus Driven

  Description: FocusDriven is an advocacy group for victims of motor vehicle crashes involving drivers using cell phones. We work with those who support our mission and want to make our roadways safer for all motorists.

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Distracted Driving Accidents

• Should Every Distracted Driving Behavior Be Illegal?

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