Ottawa Distracted Driving Lawyers
Every driver should be aware of the dangers of talking and texting on their cellphones while driving. Yet people continue to do so despite the fact that distracted driving is an offence under the Criminal Code of Canada and the Ontario Highway Traffic Act. In addition to texting, there are plenty of other types of distractions that can lead to unsafe and dangerous driving. Sleep deprivation, eating and drinking, reading or even applying makeup while driving can all be distractions that cause someone to drive negligently. Unfortunately, many drivers do not give their full attention to the task of driving.
Despite ad campaigns and police crackdowns, the number of accidents caused by distracted driving – often due to electronic devices – has steadily increased across Canada over the last decade, surpassing rates of intoxicated driving.
Although the perception is that teens are the worst offenders for using their electronic devices on the road, experienced drivers, such as truckers and professional drivers are often the biggest culprits. Because these types of drivers are usually quite familiar with their routes, they often overestimate their ability to multi-task, which can sometimes result in a deadly collision.
Drivers who are texting, reading emails or checking social media on their phones while driving are acting negligently and should be held accountable for any injuries or damage they cause. At Tierney Stauffer LLP, our dedicated team of legal professionals help individuals who have been injured in accidents by distracted drivers and drivers who text behind the wheel. Our skilled personal injury lawyers will fight to get you the compensation you need to treat your injuries and move on with your life.
Texting & Driving Accidents
As a society, we have become addicted to our smartphones. It can be hard to fight the urge to check your phone every few minutes, but when you are behind the wheel you have a responsibility to pay attention to the road. Taking your eyes off the road for even a few seconds to send or check a text message can lead to horrific and entirely preventable accidents.
Texting while driving has become a serious problem in Canada. As of 2009, it is illegal for drivers in Ontario to talk, text, type, dial or email using hand-held cell phones and other hand-held electronic devices. Although texting while driving is also illegal throughout most of Canada, people continue to do so despite the consequences. The number of accidents caused by drivers who were texting or using their cellphones has now surpassed the number of drunk driving accidents.
Distracted Driving Accidents
Although cell phones are the most common distractions for drivers, there are many other distractions that may take a driver’s attention away from the road. Distracted driving includes anything that takes your hands off the wheel or eyes off the road. Reading, eating or drinking, applying makeup, reaching for something in the backseat or attending to children or pets are all things that can distract a driver and lead to serious and sometimes fatal collisions.
In Ontario, distracted driving is a charge under the federal Criminal Code and under the provincial Highway Traffic Act. If you are convicted of distracted driving, depending on the circumstances of the charge, you can receive a fine, up to six demerit points, licence suspension and up to five years in jail.
Personal Injury Lawyers Representing Clients Injured in Texting & Driving Accident in Ottawa, throughout Eastern Ontario, and North Bay
At Tierney Stauffer LLP, we provide our clients with the information required to make an informed decision about their injury claim. One of our skilled personal injury lawyers will meet with you in person to go over the details of your texting & driving accident claim. We will work to ensure you receive the compensation you need for your short and long-term needs. Call us at 1-888-799-8057 or contact us online to set up a free consultation with a member of our personal injury team.