A Massachusetts court has sentenced an 18-year-old driver to two and a half years for a fatality he caused while texting behind the wheel.
The teenager was one of the first persons in the nation to be sent to prison as a result of criminal charges related to texting while driving.
Residents of New Jersey, New York and other states across the country can likely expect to see similar verdicts and sentences in the coming months and years for defendants who cause personal injuries as a result of texting while driving.
The Massachusetts teenager was only 17 years old when the collision occurred that took the life of a 55-year-old New Hampshire man and seriously injured his girlfriend, requiring a lengthy hospital stay.
The Text Messaging Problem
Text messaging has been equated to driving under the influence in terms of the risk it creates to other motorists on the roadways. In some ways, it may be worse. The combination of the amount of time it takes a driver’s eyes, hands and mind off of driving and the average age of people most likely to be texting often results in tragedy, as evidenced by the preceding story.
It’s hard to believe that just a decade ago most of us managed to get through the day without the need to text anyone or read a text message. Today, people have become so dependent on instant communication that the idea of turning off a cell phone or ignoring the buzz of an incoming message seems unheard of — particularly to the younger generation. However, our preoccupation with instant access to communication can have deadly consequences.
Laws Relating to Texting and Driving
Most states, including New Jersey and New York, have enacted laws that make texting while driving a violation. States are also beginning to incorporate texting into broader criminal laws, such as those relating to the New Hampshire case. Just as using a weapon in the commission of a crime often makes the potential penalties for the crime more severe, the future may see more states implementing more severe penalties for injury accidents that included a driver who was texting while driving.
If you have been injured in a New Jersey or New York car accident and you believe that the driver who was responsible in the accident was texting while driving or was using a handheld device of any kind at the time of the accident, the car accident attorneys at Ginarte Gonzalez & Winograd, LLP, can help.
With six offices conveniently located in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area, we have an office near you. Contact the firm today by calling 888-446-2783 for your free consultation, or fill out our online contact form.