Texting and Driving Accidents
The most dangerous form of distracted driving is texting while driving. Thousands of people regularly use their cell phones to endanger their lives and the lives of others on the roadways. Whether it's extremely irresponsible conduct to check a map, adjust the music, or simply send a text, using your phone while driving is a careless and dangerous behavior.
According to the International Association for the Wireless Telecommunications Industry, the population in the United States uses over 330 million mobile devices – with over 1,000 deaths and 24,000 injuries reported in 2009 that were directly attributed to cell phone use while driving.
Please reach to The Law office of Eddie Clark & Associates and speak to our expert Monroe car accidents attorney if you have been involved in a texting and driving accident.
Louisiana Texting and Driving LawsLike many other states, text messaging is banned for all drivers in Louisiana behind the wheel. This is a key law as well. In addition to these prohibitions, a Preemption Law also exists which prevents localities from enacting distracted driving laws. For first time offenders, the punishment to text messaging while driving is $175, while repeat offenders get a $500 fine.
Texting while driving law (R.S. 32:300.5) in Lousiana states:
“No person shall operate any motor vehicle upon any public road or highway of this state while using a wireless telecommunications device to write, send, or read a text-based communication. It is a moving violation and a primary offense.”
Drivers under the age of 18 are forbidden from texting or communicating while driving on a mobile phone. The only exception to this law is reporting a crime or emergency incident. Every law has exceptions. Drivers in Louisiana are required to use a wireless communication system if it is used by emergency personnel when carrying out official duties. Furthermore, drivers are permitted to use wireless devices for navigation purposes or report an emergency or criminal activity.
CompensationIf you or a loved one is involved in a text and driving accident, you might be entitled to compensation for the injuries you have received, along with any other damages related to such injuries.
You can reasonably expect compensation for a variety of damages, both economic and non-economic, depending on the extent of your injuries and the nature of your other losses. The compensation sought at The Law Office of Eddie Clark & Associates by our legal team includes:
- current and future medical expenses
- property damage
- loss of income from future income
- pain and suffering
- Wrongful death
- Punitive damage.
At the Law Firm of Eddie Clark and Associates, a car accident law firm serving Monroe, Louisiana, Attorney Eddie Clark possess years of experience fighting on behalf victims of car accidents and is prepared to do the same for you.
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