Auto Accidents Manhattan, New York

Related Articles

View all related articles.

• Home »
• Motor Vehicle Accidents »
• Causes of Car Accidents »
• Driver Distractions - Technology

When technologies such as cell phones and portable MP3 players distract drivers on the road, the results can be deadly.  A distracted driver’s ability to navigate the vehicle and react quickly is greatly diminished, and the likelihood of a car, trucking, or motorcycle accident is significantly increased.  If you or a loved one has suffered a personal injury in a motor vehicle accident caused by a distracted driver, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and should enlist the help of an experienced auto accident attorney.  At Proner & Proner, our lawyers represent victims of car accidents in Manhattan and throughout New York.  We will determine whether you have a case, and, if you do, we will help you to pursue compensation for your injuries.

Technology and Driver Distraction

Technology such as cell phones, in-vehicle navigation systems (including adaptive cruise control, advanced headlamps, electronic backing aids, and rear-view video cameras), MP3 players, stereo systems, and other devices can cause a significant distraction for drivers. These devices can distract the driver mentally (if the driver’s attention is drawn from the road), visually (if the driver is not focusing on the road), and physically (if the driver is handling the device instead of the steering wheel). 

According to reports by the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA), the risk of a crash or near-crash is nearly three times as high for a driver engaging in complex secondary tasks (such as radio tuning and phone dialing) and by two times for a driver engaging in moderate secondary tasks (such as talking on a cell phone) versus a baseline driver.  Secondary-task distraction contributed to more than 22 percent of all crashes and near-crashes in the study.  The study also found that the most frequent type of secondary task engagement involved the use of hand-held devices.  Another study by the NHTSA focused on subjects’ reactions to in-vehicle voice technology (as well as visual and manual stimuli) while performing in-vehicle secondary tasks.  The study found that, while the driver’s ability to control the vehicle decreased significantly with secondary task performance, the use of a voice-based interface reduced his or her degree of distraction. 

Proner & Proner provides exceptional legal counsel for victims of car accidents.  Serving Manhattan and all of New York, our personal injury attorneys utilize every resource available to make sure victims’ rights are protected.  To schedule a complimentary case evaluation, contact Proner & Proner today.

Hands-Free Driving Laws

Although no state completely bans cell phone use, many states, including New York, New Jersey, and California, as well as Washington, D.C., have passed hands-free driving laws that prohibit cell phone use without a hands-free device while driving.  These laws are designed to minimize driver distraction by keeping drivers from holding, dialing, and looking at a cell phone while behind the wheel.  In New York state, the first state to introduce hands-free legislation in November 2001, fines of up to $100 exist for individuals who violate this law.  In New York and most other states, the hands-free driving law allows an officer to ticket a driver for using a handheld cell phone while driving, even if no other traffic offense has taken place. Our car accident lawyers are familiar with New York state’s hands-free laws and can provide the legal counsel you need if you are involved in a dispute related to use of a handheld device while driving.  Contact our firm today to schedule a complimentary consultation.

How Our Car Accident Lawyers Can Help

At Proner & Proner, Mitchell Proner and A. Stanley Proner are experienced in all aspects of motor vehicle accident law.  As skilled and experienced auto accident lawyers, they have helped many victims of car accidents throughout New York obtain settlements for injuries that were caused by distracted drivers.  Whether you were injured in a single- or multiple-motor vehicle accident, a commercial vehicle or trucking accident, or another type of accident, Proner & Proner can help.  If, in your free initial consultation, we determine that you have a case, our attorneys will provide expert legal representation to help you achieve a favorable outcome.

Contact Us to Learn More about Car Accidents

Motor vehicle accidents occur in a flash, forever altering the lives of accident victims and their families.  If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident caused by a driver who was distracted by a cell phone or another technology, you may be entitled to compensation.  At Proner & Proner, our attorneys are experienced in handling the aftermath of these types of car accidents.  At our Manhattan, New York law firm, our attorneys are dedicated to protecting victims’ rights.  Contact Proner and Proner today to schedule a free case evaluation.  We will provide aggressive legal representation on your behalf.