There’s an inherent danger involved in moving around in massive, heavy vehicles at high speeds. It only takes a fraction of a second for a mistake to result in a catastrophic collision that produces injuries and property damage. Most people want to do everything in their power to avoid a crash, but some people make poor decisions that put everyone else on the road at risk.
One common mistake that people make is the decision to text while in control of a motor vehicle. People may feel addicted to their phones, unable to disconnect while they drive. Someone taking his or her eyes off the road to read a text or compose a message could directly cause a crash. For those who suffer injuries or lose a loved one in a distracted crash, it’s important to hold the driver responsible for choosing to neglect the responsibility to drive safely.
New Jersey treats distracted driving like a serious issue
Distracted driving has become a pressing issue, one that has a direct impact on public safety. In order to reduce the risk to people on the roads, New Jersey has taken steps to prevent distracted driving. These efforts include a law that makes it illegal to text or manually use a phone while operating a motor vehicle. Despite these efforts, texting and other forms of distraction remain common on New Jersey roads.
The law considers any form of texting or data entry on a phone, as well as manually holding a phone during a call, a primary offense. First time offenders face a fine of between $200 and $400. For those who commit a second offense in a 10-year look back period, the fine increases to between $400 and $600. For anyone accused of a third or subsequent texting offense within ten years, the penalty increases to a fine of between $600 and $800, the addition of three points to your license and the potential to lose your license for up to 90 days.
Distracted driving crashes can leave your family struggling
The aftermath of a serious collision can impact your family for many months or even the rest of your lives. Some people sustain life-altering injuries, such as spinal cord injuries or traumatic brain injuries. These kinds of injuries can leave someone unable to continue working. In some cases, injuries from a crash can incur thousands of dollars in medical bills.
Your family should not have to absorb those financial losses. You have the right to hold a negligent driver responsible for focusing on something other than the road. Mobile phone records and traffic camera images may help you prove that the other driver had a cellphone in his or her hands at the time of the collision.
