Distracted driving is a major cause of car-related injuries and deaths. It’s estimated that roughly 25% of motor vehicle accident fatalities result from distracted driving.

According to a Bay News 9, a 17 year old suffered minor injuries resulting from her crashing into a Town N’ Country home last night in the 7700 block of Winston Lane in Tampa.

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s office made statements that the teen driver left a friend’s house upset and was distracted by her cell phone when the accident happened. Luckily, no one was inside the home. This teen driver is expected to face charges and/or receive a citation as she had only a learner’s permit.

Fortunately, no one was hurt by the negligence made on this young woman’s part; however, that is not always the case.

Did you know?

  • According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention: In 2015, 2,333 teens in the United States ages 16–19 were killed and 221,313 were treated in emergency departments for injuries suffered in motor vehicle crashes in 2014. That means that six teens ages 16–19 died every day from motor vehicle injuries.
  • Teens are more likely than older drivers to underestimate dangerous situations or cannot recognize hazardous situations.
  • Teens are more likely than older drivers to speed and to allow shorter headways (the distance from the front of one vehicle to the front of the next).
  • Teens have a lower rate of seat-belt use.
  • At all levels of blood alcohol concentration (BAC), the risk of involvement in a motor vehicle crash is greater for teens than for older drivers.
  • The highest rates of teen deaths are between 3pm and midnight and on the weekends (including Friday).

Teen distractions

Here are some distractions that can cause teenagers to lose proper control of their vehicle. Adults can also get into accidents because of these distractions. The list is not exhaustive of all distractions.

  1. Texting while driving. Texting means at least one hand will not be on the steering wheel and the driver will not be focusing his vision on the road.
  2. Talking on a cell phone while driving. For hand-held phones this means one hand will not be on the steering wheel. For voice-activated cell phones and hand-held phones talking means the talker isn’t focused 100% on the road and the surroundings.
  3. Switching the car radio station
  4. Using a laptop computer.
  5. Selecting a song on an iPod/Cell Phone.
  6. Checking a GPS (Global Positioning System) navigation system
  7. Eating while driving

If anyone you know is a victim of an accident caused by texting while driving or by any other means please let our car accident lawyers help you get the recovery you deserve. During this difficult time we will help you receive the maximum compensation allowed by law and we will assist you through every step. If you or a loved one suffered an injury or a death please call us at 1-800-LAW-3030 (1-800-529-3030) or email us at: [email protected].

Stephen K. Brooks
Author: Stephen K. Brooks

Steve was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. As was the practice for new doctors his father worked day and night during his medical residency at Charity Hospital there. Steve comes from a long line of doctors. His father, his grandfather, his great grandfather, even two uncles were all specialists and/or surgeons in their chosen medical specialties, including internal medicine specialist, obstetrics / gynecology, neurosurgery and general practice / surgery. His great-great grandfather was the Surgeon General of Ohio during the Civil War.