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Manassas, VA 20110

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Locklin & Coleman, PLLC - Put Our Experience On Your Side

9253 Mosby Street | Suite 100 | Manassas, VA 20110

Local: 703-659-1961
Toll-Free: 866-719-4394

CALL TO SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION
Virtual Consults Available At Request
We Operate On A Contingency Fee Basis

A Track Record Of Results In Personal Injury Litigation

Since we began representing victims of negligence, our lawyers have been committed to providing smart and aggressive representation in The Law Offices of Locklin & Coleman, PLLC

Effects of texting could be same as those of drunk driving

Most drivers believe there is no more dangerous a situation than drunk driving. The effects of a drunk driving accident can be terrifying, from fiery crashes to the lives lost as a result. However, thanks to ubiquitous cell phone technology, there is now another behavior that can produce very similar results: texting while driving.

According to one Virginia State Police trooper, the behavior of a driver who is texting mimics that of a driver who is intoxicated. Drivers who text tend to swerve, which can result in crossing lanes or a head-on collision. Studies tend to agree with the trooper. A study from the University of Utah revealed that reaction time tends to be delayed as much by texting as it is by having a blood alcohol content of .08 percent. In Virginia, this BAC level means that a driver can be ticketed for DUI.

In Virginia, there are strict laws against both drunk driving and texting while driving. A trooper can stop a person seen texting while behind the wheel, and the texting driver can be fined $150 for their first offense. Virginia police can also subpoena a driver’s phone records to prove texting. According to a study from the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, the possibilities of an accident can double or even triple when a texting driver attempts phone-related tasks.

Thanks to far-reaching traditions of alcohol consumption, as well as newer technology trends, the risks of a crash for Virginia drivers can never be eliminated. Drivers who are hit by a drunk driver, a texting driver or a driver that is both intoxicated and on their phone have legal recourse to obtain compensation for their injuries. A successful civil personal injury lawsuit can, not only compensate accident victims for certain losses, but also send the message that irresponsibility is not taken lightly in Virginia.

Source: Bristol Herald Courier, “VSP gives drivers who text a warning: I C U,” Kevin Castle, Oct. 24, 2013

Attorneys Brian P Coleman and Kevin L Locklin
FindLaw Network