[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.sumnerlawgroup.com\/blog\/how-many-accidents-are-caused-by-texting-and-driving\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.sumnerlawgroup.com\/blog\/how-many-accidents-are-caused-by-texting-and-driving\/","headline":"How Many Car Accidents Are Caused By Texting And Driving?","name":"How Many Car Accidents Are Caused By Texting And Driving?","description":"Most people know that texting behind the wheel can increase the likelihood of a crash, but just how many accidents are caused by texting and driving? This article explores the risk factors associated with texting and driving, why texting-related accidents are so common, and what you can do to stay...","datePublished":"2022-12-07","dateModified":"2024-04-11","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.sumnerlawgroup.com\/blog\/author\/sumnerlawgrop\/#Person","name":"Brent Sumner","url":"https:\/\/www.sumnerlawgroup.com\/blog\/author\/sumnerlawgrop\/","identifier":10,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/2aeb6cc52fd8dbe820cd3eca0e8509bdbf49caab106f4998c1712188d6fe457b?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/2aeb6cc52fd8dbe820cd3eca0e8509bdbf49caab106f4998c1712188d6fe457b?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Sumner Law Group, LLC","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.sumnerlawgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/The-Sumner-Law-Group-LLC-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/www.sumnerlawgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/The-Sumner-Law-Group-LLC-Logo.png","width":348,"height":70}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.sumnerlawgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/home-featured.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.sumnerlawgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/home-featured.jpg","width":570,"height":391},"url":"https:\/\/www.sumnerlawgroup.com\/blog\/how-many-accidents-are-caused-by-texting-and-driving\/","video":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"VideoObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=SDI4bdQmPFU#VideoObject","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=SDI4bdQmPFU","name":"How Many Car Accidents Are Caused By Texting And Driving? | Sumner Law Group","description":"At Sumner Law Group, LLC, our attorneys have earned a reputation for taking on powerful insurance companies. Our trial team has a long track record of winning millions of dollars in payouts for our clients. In fact, our track record at trial gives us an edge in every negotiation. Insurers know we fight for the best possible outcome \u2500 and we don\u2019t settle for less. Learn more at www.sumnerlawgroup.com today.","thumbnailUrl":["https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/SDI4bdQmPFU\/default.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/SDI4bdQmPFU\/mqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/SDI4bdQmPFU\/hqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/SDI4bdQmPFU\/sddefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/SDI4bdQmPFU\/maxresdefault.jpg"],"uploadDate":"2024-04-11T16:47:51+00:00","duration":"PT2M32S","embedUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/SDI4bdQmPFU","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCDzbdjBRcSplQwamCHSBgeA#Organization","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCDzbdjBRcSplQwamCHSBgeA","name":"Sumner Law Group","description":"The Sumner Law Group, LLC, founded by Attorney Brent Sumner, provides dedicated legal representation to individuals who have been injured by the negligence of others.    With an impressive record of successful case results and a long list of satisfied clients, this is a Kansas City personal injury lawyer you can trust to fight for you.  For more information about the firm, please visit our website or give us a call at (816) 298-9821.","logo":{"url":"https:\/\/yt3.ggpht.com\/ytc\/AIdro_kAf6_D2ntmunWyhHMcUVY1VZIq7_JeFTSZl9roE1KWQdU=s800-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj","width":800,"height":800,"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=SDI4bdQmPFU#VideoObject_publisher_logo_ImageObject"}},"potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=SDI4bdQmPFU#VideoObject_potentialAction","target":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=SDI4bdQmPFU&t={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"},"interactionStatistic":[[{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=SDI4bdQmPFU#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_WatchAction","interactionType":{"@type":"WatchAction"},"userInteractionCount":40}]]},"about":["Car Accidents"],"wordCount":593,"articleBody":"Most people know that texting behind the wheel can increase the likelihood of a crash, but just how many accidents are caused by texting and driving? This article explores the risk factors associated with texting and driving, why texting-related accidents are so common, and what you can do to stay safe behind the wheel.\u00a0\u00a0What Are the Dangers of Texting and Driving?Operating a motor vehicle is inherently dangerous because there are so many risks associated with driving. Safe driving requires full and constant attention to the road. Any driving distraction substantially increases the chances of an accident.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says texting while driving is one of the most hazardous forms of distracted driving. Many drivers text while behind the wheel, assuming it is less dangerous than other risky behaviors, like driving under the influence, but that\u2019s not the case.\u00a0Risk Factors of Texting and DrivingTexting while driving is particularly risky because it distracts a driver in three ways. First, checking a phone screen is a visual distraction because it takes a driver\u2019s eyes off the road. Second, typing a text message is a manual distraction because it requires drivers to take their hands off the wheel. Third, reading or replying to texts is a cognitive distraction because it takes a driver\u2019s mind and attention off the road.Receiving or sending a text message takes about five seconds. If you\u2019re driving at 55 mph, you can easily travel the length of a football field in that amount of time without paying attention to your surroundings.\u00a0How Many Accidents Are Caused by Texting and Driving?The following data from NHTSA illustrates just how frequently texting and driving contributes to traffic accidents in the United States:\u00a0The percentage of motorists who were noticeably \u201cmanipulating handheld devices\u201d behind the wheel increased from 2.8 to 3.4 percent over a recent two-year period.Drivers between the ages of 16 and 24 were the most likely to be seen using a handheld device behind the wheel.The rates of handheld device manipulation increased among pickup truck drivers and drivers in urban areas.There were 5.2 million traffic accidents in the U.S. in one recent year, of which 680,296 (13 percent) were distraction-related. Of the distracted driving accidents, 59,098 (9 percent) involved cell phone use.The Consequences of Texting and DrivingMany texting and driving accidents cause significant injuries to the people involved, and some are fatal. NHTSA recently reported the following consequences of texting and driving:Of the more than 35,000 fatal crashes nationwide in one year, 2,880 (8 percent) were distraction-related, resulting in 3,142 fatalities.Of the 2,880 distraction-related crashes, 354 (12 percent) involved cell phone use. Fatal crashes involving cell phone use contributed to nearly 400 deaths.How to Prevent Texting and DrivingYou cannot control the behavior of other drivers, but you can decrease your temptation to text while driving and prevent distracted driving crashes by:Turning your phone off or putting it in the console or other compartment while drivingTurning on your phone\u2019s \u201cdo not disturb\u201d setting while drivingPulling over and parking to check or reply to messages that can\u2019t waitModeling safe behavior while driving and talking to your kids about the dangers of texting while drivingOffering to handle navigation and communications if you\u2019re a passengerInjured by a Texting Driver? Contact Us TodayIf you got hurt in an accident involving a driver who was texting behind the wheel, reach out to Sumner Law Group, LLC. We are ready to explain your legal options and evaluate your case for free during an initial consultation.\u00a0"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.sumnerlawgroup.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"How Many Car Accidents Are Caused By Texting And Driving?","item":"https:\/\/www.sumnerlawgroup.com\/blog\/how-many-accidents-are-caused-by-texting-and-driving\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]