Should Cell Phones Be Banned While Driving?
Distracted driving remains one of the leading causes of car accidents in the United States—second only to drunk driving. According to the National Safety Council, 26% of car accidents involve cell phone use, with nearly 400,000 injuries each year linked to texting and driving.
State Regulations and Their Effectiveness
While many states have laws restricting cell phone use behind the wheel, evidence suggests that these measures alone may not significantly reduce crashes.
- Research by the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) shows little to no reduction in accident rates despite cell phone bans and enforcement campaigns.
- This is partly because drivers often switch to hands-free devices, mistakenly believing they are safer.
- Studies from the National Safety Council reveal that hands-free devices still cause dangerous cognitive distractions.
For victims injured in distracted driving crashes, legal representation may be critical to securing justice and compensation.
Risks for Commercial Drivers
Commercial drivers face heightened risks when using cell phones behind the wheel:
- Many Fortune 500 companies, including UPS, Chevron, Shell, and Time Warner, enforce strict bans on both handheld and hands-free devices to protect employees and the public.
- The dangers of distracted commercial driving can lead to catastrophic outcomes, often resulting in cases tied to trucking accidents or commercial vehicle accidents.
The Legal Consequences
Employers who fail to regulate cell phone use among their employees can face serious liability:
- Coca-Cola was hit with a $21 million verdict after an employee caused a severe crash while distracted by a phone.
- Several other multimillion-dollar cases highlight the steep financial risks associated with weak cell phone policies.
If you’ve been injured by a negligent driver, claims may fall under distracted driving crashes or even wrongful death in the most tragic cases.
Protect Yourself and Your Rights
If you or a loved one has been injured because another driver was distracted by a cell phone, act quickly to protect your rights. The skilled attorneys at Leatherwood Law have recovered millions of dollars for clients harmed by negligent drivers.
We handle cases involving:
📞 Call us at 1-877-664-6665 or email Intake@leatherwoodfirm.com for a free case evaluation.
Don’t wait—your recovery and future may depend on taking action today.