Provides steps you should take if you believe your car accident was caused by the other driver being inattentive because of a cell-phone or other hand-held device.
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Laws enacted by states
Cell phones are now being used by about 2.4 billion people around the world and even 10 years ago, nearly 120 million Americans had cell service. This number continues to rise. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 3 percent of all drivers are talking on a hand-held cell phone at any one time. Cell phones have become commonplace in automobiles across the United States. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that drivers talking on cellphones are four times as likely to be involved in an injury car accident.
Laws regulating cell phone usage while driving have been enacted by many states. In the State of Washington, text messaging on a cell phone while driving is banned starting July 2008; violators will receive a $101 ticket.
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What you should do following your accident
* Write down the accident time because your attorney may compare the time of the accident with the others driver's cell phone records. Ask the police officers to record the time.
* Ask witnesses if they witnessed the other driver using a cell phone.
* Ask the other driver, "Were you talking on your cell phone?"
* Ask the police officer to check the driver's cell phone of phone number and last calls made.
* If the other driver refuses to allow the police officer to see their cell phone, then the officer may ask them for their cell phone number.
* Once you have received medical treatment, you should contact a knowledgeable car accident attorney who can ask the court to legally preserve the other driver's cell phone records.
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