Texting and Driving Laws in New York and Personal Injury Claims for Texting and Driving Accidents

Texting while driving, or using a smartphone in any capacity while operating a moving vehicle, is one of the most dangerous forms of driver distraction, taking hands and eyes off the wheel. Distracted driving leads to injury crashes every day in New York City, causing serious and long-lasting injuries like bone fractures, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and wrongful death.

History of Texting and Driving Laws in New York City

New York first put into place a texting and driving law in 2009, around the time when smartphones started appearing everywhere. AtT the time, texting and driving was a secondary offense – you could only be cited for texting if you were pulled over for another reason. However, this changed in 2011, when the Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 1225(d) was amended. If a driver has an electronic device in their hand, they will be presumed to be using it. You can be pulled over if an officer observes you using it. Current fines and penalties can be found on the New York DMV website.

As smartphones increased in popularity and used, so did their use while driving. From 2011 to 2016, tickets issued for texting and driving increased by 840%. New York City has an enforcement task force that has grown over the years, with more drivers subject to citations than ever. This is because texting and driving is a real problem, taking lives and causing serious injuries every year. Driver distraction is the leading cause of car accidents today.

What to Do If You’ve Been Injured in an Accident Caused by a Texting Driver

If you have suffered a serious injury caused by a driver texting and driving, seek medical care, and get treatment for your injuries. Then contact an experienced New York car accident attorney as soon as possible for a free consultation. At Michael J. Redenburg, Esq. P.C., we understand the necessary elements of a successful personal injury claim and can help you recover the full and fair compensation you deserve for your medical bills, lost earnings, and pain and suffering. As part of our contingency fee structure for all cases, you pay nothing upfront or out of pocket. We are only paid if, and when, we recover money for you.