Can Car Accidents Be Caused by Social Media?

You only have control of what you do behind the wheel. No matter how defensively you drive or how safe your actions are, you cannot control how other drivers may behave. Using social media while driving is one common dangerous habit that puts you and everyone else on the road at risk. If you or a loved one has been injured in a distracted driving car accident involving the use of social media, you may be entitled to substantial financial compensation.

Too Many Drivers Are Distracted Behind the Wheel

Roughly 10 percent of car accident fatalities occur in crashes that involve distracted driving. These crashes cause hundreds of thousands of injuries each year. Those who survive distracted driving crashes could be left with serious injuries that can have a number of significant effects.

Social media has changed how people drive for the worse. Unfortunately, drivers are not always able to discipline themselves enough to focus on the road and put down their phones. They may post on apps, read what others have posted, or use social media to message others through DMs. Recently, there has been a large increase in car accidents involving drivers who were using Snapchat at the time of the crash because of the continuous messaging.

Distracted Driving Can Cause Serious Car Accident Injuries

Distracted driving has the potential to cause serious car accidents. When a driver does not have both eyes on the road and hands on the wheel, they are not able to respond to any challenges that are around them on the road. They may not see cars that are stopped in front of them, or they could try to change lanes without checking their blind spots. Distracted driving car accidents tend to cause more severe injuries because they happen at higher speeds, and there is nothing that other drivers can do to anticipate the actions of a distracted driver.

Distracted driving is not just a problem for the amount of time that the driver has their eyes off the road. Studies show that it could take a driver as much as thirty seconds to refocus their attention on the road after they have used social media. They may have read something on social media that is occupying their mind and keeping them from focusing on driving. A driver can be distracted even when they are not looking down at their phone.

Does it Help My Case When I Have Evidence of Social Media Use?

Although you do not have to prove distracted driving per se, it may help to have documentation that shows what the driver was doing at the time of the accident if you file a claim. You may be able to obtain the driver’s old social media posts and evidence of their activity. If you have this proof, you may improve your leverage in settlement negotiations or be able to demonstrate liability for the accident. Only an experienced car accident lawyer knows how to gain access to a driver’s social media accounts if you are forced to file a court case.

It may always be a challenge to prove that the driver was distracted and was using social media at the time of the accident. You may need to prove liability by showing that the driver veered out of their lane or rear-ended a car that was stopped in front of them.

Contact a Washington, D.C. Car Accident Lawyer at the Law Offices of Duane O. King

A Washington, D.C. car accident lawyer at the Law Offices of Duane O. King can represent you in a motor vehicle crash claim or lawsuit. A lawyer can build the case that you need to qualify for financial compensation if you have been injured by someone else’s careless actions. You can take the first potential step to a car accident settlement by using our online contact form or calling us today at 202-331-1963 to schedule a free initial consultation. We have offices in Washington, D.C., National Harbor, Maryland, and Falls Church, Virginia, and we serve clients in Prince George’s County, including Laurel, Beltsville, Adelphi, College Park, Greenbelt, Mitchellville, Woodmore, Greater Upper Marlboro, Springdale, Largo, Bowie, Capitol Heights, District Heights, Forestville, Suitland, Seat Pleasant, Clinton, Oxon Hill, Temple Hills, and Fort Washington.