How many people are hurt in distracted driving crashes?

Each day, motor vehicle accidents take place for a myriad of reasons. Some are the result of a driver failing to stop at a stop sign, while others are caused by people getting behind the wheel after drinking too much alcohol or while under the influence of drugs. That said, distracted driving is a serious problem in New Mexico and across the country. Unfortunately, some people do not realize how widespread or dangerous distracted driving actually is.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 391,000 people sustained an injury in a distracted driving accident during 2015. In fact, traffic accidents involving a distracted driver claimed over 3,470 lives throughout the same year. At any given time of day, it is estimated that about 660,000 people are using a cell phone while driving in the United States alone. Furthermore, this behavior is particularly common in young drivers who are between the ages of 16 and 24.

In addition to the loss of life, distracted driving accidents can lead to permanent hardships for victims who are fortunate to survive. Those injured in a distracted driving collision may not be able to work any more and they could be struggling with physical pain, hospital bills and an inability to pursue their life interests, among other setbacks.

If you or someone who is close to you were hit by a distracted driver, you should examine your options immediately. After all, those who put the safety of themselves and others at risk by driving recklessly must be held responsible for their behavior.