Texting While Driving Accident Lawyer Minneapolis MN
According to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), distracted driving kills almost 10 people each day, and another 1,200 are injured. Texting and talking on cellular phones are one of the main forms of distracted driving, but social media and other online share networks are often a source as well. Snapchat, an image messaging application software program, is the most recent program to face scrutiny, and for good reason. If recent events are any indication, this share program could be taking distracted driving accidents to a whole new, extremely dangerous, level in Minnesota and across America. If you have been injured in a car accident caused by a distracted driver, call Johnston | Martineau PLLP to speak with a texting while driving accident lawyer Minneapolis MN clients recommend.
Driving and Social Media
Young drivers aren’t just texting and driving. Social media is another frequent distraction to young drivers. In addition to Facebook Instagram, and Twitter, many young people utilize Snapchat. In one study, one in six drivers between the ages of 17 and 25 said they use Snapchat while behind the wheel. Sixteen percent of people surveyed say they’ve opened the Snapchat app on their phones while behind the wheel. Of those drivers, 15 percent admitted they’ve also sent photos and videos. The researchers who conducted the study found that the urge to share something the user has seen while in the car is the primary reason why these driver take the risk of using the app while driving.
Known for its “self-destructing” images, Snapchat allows users to capture videos and pictures and then share them with select friends. It is especially loved by teens, and by those who enjoy a little more privacy than the more “permanent” Facebook or Instagram platforms since the user gets to determine just how long their images are live (between one and 10 seconds). This, in and of itself, has been cause for concern among parents, particularly when it comes to not being able to determine what kinds of images their teens are sharing. But for those that are of the legal driving age, there may be even bigger concerns than provocative images.
Snapchat’s Speed Filter
A car accident lawyer Minneapolis MN families turn to knows that in addition to a number of other features, Snapchat offers a “speed filter” which allows the sender to track just how fast they are going when they take a “selfie” or photo. Thought to be a factor in at least one accident already (the user allegedly tracked her speed at 113 miles per hour in a 55 mph zone), and especially alluring for younger drivers, who are already at a higher risk for accidents and distracted driving accidents, this feature is drawing a lot of negative attention from the media. And, as a result, skilled personal injury and automobile accident attorneys are working to help drivers understand the risk and what their rights may be if they believe the app may have been a factor in a recent accident.
Victim of Distracted Driving? Get the Skilled Legal Representation You Deserve
If you have been injured in an automobile accident and believe that distracted driving may have been a factor, you may be entitled to compensation. But, because insurance companies and law enforcement may not fully investigate such matters, it is critical that you contact an experienced and resourceful Minneapolis MN texting while driving accident lawyer personal injury attorney for help. To learn more, call Johnston | Martineau PLLP and schedule your free initial consultation today.
