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Texting has become the most effective way to communicate for most people. It is rare to walk down the street and not see a person absorbed in their phone and completely oblivious to their surroundings. Texting while driving is even more dangerous and can lead to serious injury. The few seconds a person takes to glance at their phone to read a text message can quickly escalate. This is a reckless decision that can easily harm innocent people. If you were injured in an automobile accident by a driver who was texting, then you should seek a qualified texting while driving accident attorney to recover the full damages for your injury.
Understanding Pennsylvania Texting and Driving Laws
Under Pennsylvania law, it is illegal to engage in any activity that either takes attention away from driving, takes your eyes off the road or removes your hands from the steering wheel. Pennsylvania bans texting while driving as distracted driving is strictly forbidden. The law prohibits any driver from using a wireless device to send, read or write a text-based communication in a moving vehicle. A text-based communication is defined as a text message, instant message, email or other written communication created or received on an Interactive Wireless Communication Device (IWCD). An IWCD includes wireless phones, smartphones, mobile computers or similar devices that can be used for texting, instant messaging, emailing or browsing the web.
What About Hands-Free Devices?
There is no statewide ban on using a cellphone without a hands-free device. However, cities, including Philadelphia, have instituted bans against using a cellphone without a hands-free device. These means that on a local level, cities can provide stricter rules for driving while using a cellphone.
Recovering Damages for Your Injury
Texting while driving is a serious offense that will not be taken lightly especially when an innocent person is injured by the negligence of another. Accident injuries can lead to long term damages and effects for the harmed party. The amount of your damages is determined by the extent of your injuries and the time it will take you to recover. The types of damages you can recover for include:
- Past and future medical bills
- Past and future lost wages
- Property damage
- Compensation for disfigurement or disability
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages (in certain cases)
How an Experienced Attorney Benefits You
Hiring an experienced attorney to ensure you get full compensation for your injuries is important. We take an aggressive stand for accident victims because we have seen the outcome of horrific accidents. van der Veen, Hartshorn & Levin fight to receive the greatest outcomes and have recovered over $100 million in verdicts and settlements. We will evaluate your case and use the best evidence to prove your injury was a direct cause of a distracted texting driver. Contact a qualified Philadelphia accident injury attorney today. Juries do not like when an innocent person is injured by a person who violates the law. You can trust that we will fight to hold the negligent driver accountable and get you the maximum damages you deserve.
