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Cell phone use continues to impact car accident compensation

Driving doesn't need to be a dangerous activity, yet many people across the state regularly endanger the health and wellbeing of themselves and others by using their cell phones behind the wheel. {Pedestrians are also in danger, as are cyclists etc}

A recent survey from US insurance provider State Farm revealed that the proliferation of smartphones has made this trend worse, with more people now being distracted by these devices. 

Distracted drivers are a leading cause for car accident compensation cases as even the shortest loss of concentration can dramatically raise the risk of a crash occurring. According to the NSW Centre for Road Safety, drivers who take their eyes off the road for more than two seconds doubles the risk of causing an accident. 

Between 2010 and 2014, there were 236 crashes on NSW roads as a result of people using cell phones behind the wheel. So what needs to change?

People still use phones while driving

State Farm surveyed thousands of drivers in a recent investigation into these trends, finding that the number of people who drive while using their phone is on the rise. The organisation compared survey data from 2009 with the latest results gather in 2015, finding that only calling while driving has decreased in this period. 

The number of people that willingly admit to texting while operating a vehicle rose from 31 to 36 per cent, a figure that suggests the world's roads are likely to be much more dangerous as a result. 

On top of this, likely prompted by the increased proportion of smartphone ownership, more than double the amount of people browse the internet while driving in 2015. Last year's results had risen to 29 per cent in comparison to 13 per cent recorded in 2009. 

Director of Technology Research Chris Mullen noted the way these figures have risen in correlation with smartphone ownership and what this means for other road users. 

"It's interesting to observe how the number and types of distractions available on cell phones have grown over the years we have conducted this annual survey," he said.

"We want to remind people that despite these and other demands on your attention when driving, please stay 100 per cent focused on your drive."

Interestingly, motorists who indicated they use their phone  while driving on a regular basis noted that there is a range of different deterrents that would force them to focus more, such as legal and financial repercussions.

The lawyers at Gerard Malouf and Partners operate on a no win no fee basis. Contact them today to find out how they can help. 

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Meet the diverse and dynamic team of compensation lawyers and supporting staff that have made this all happen below. Our multi-lingual team can discuss your claims in Arabic, Assyrian, Turkish, Greek, Italian, French, Serbian, Croatian, Armenian, Mandarin, Hindi, Punjabi or Malayalam.

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