We Hold Distracted Drivers Accountable
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that distracted driving caused 3,166 deaths nationwide in 2017 alone. Anything that takes a driver’s attention from the task of driving – talking on the phone, texting, adjusting the stereo or navigation system – is considered distracted driving. At the Leonard Legal Group, we hold distracted drivers accountable for their actions, recovering compensation for individuals that have suffered injury or death due to this negligent behavior.
Why distracted driving is so dangerous
Any time an activity takes your eyes off the road and your attention away from the act of driving, it is dangerous. While texting while driving is what first comes to mind when we think of distracted driving, there are other non-driving activities that also increase your risk of being involved in a car accident, including:
- Texting on a cell phone or electronic communication device
- Talking on the phone
- Adjusting stereo controls
- Focusing on the navigation screen
- Eating or drinking
- Personal grooming
- Talking to others in the vehicle
- Tending to young children in the back seat
When a driver takes their eyes off the road for five seconds while driving at 55 mph, it is the equivalent of driving the length of a football field with their eyes closed.
Penalties for distracted driving
In the state of New Jersey, it is considered a primary offense for a motorist to talk or text with a hand-held wireless telephone or electronic communication device while driving. Penalties for these infractions are as follows:
- First offense: a fine of between $200 – $400
- Second offense: a fine of between $400 – $600
- Third (or subsequent) offense: a fine of between $600 – $800, the addition of three motor vehicle points to the drivers’ license, and a possible 90-day suspension of the drivers’ license
In New Jersey, the second, third and subsequent offense penalties are only applicable to convictions that occur within the current ten-year period.
We hold distracted drivers accountable for their actions
Anyone driving on the roadways has witnessed distracted driving in one form or another. From texting on cell phones, cradling a device next to the shoulder to speak into one, turning around in the seat to tend to young children, or adjusting the destination on a navigation system, the level of distraction is alarming. Unfortunately, distracted driving can also be fatal. At the Leonard Legal Group, our dedicated team aggressively pursues claims against those that drive while distracted, holding them accountable for their actions and recovering just compensation for those that they have injured in the process. If you or a loved one has been injured by a distracted driver, let us help. Contact a member of our team at 973-984-1414 or contact us online to arrange for a confidential consultation to discuss your case.