texting_behind_the_wheel

In Vernal Utah, the mother of a 15-year-old boy who was killed in a car crash, filed a wrongful death suit. The case was filed against Jeffrey Lloyd Bascom, the man whom police say crashed his car because he was texting, killing the 15-year-old pedestrian.

On September 2nd, the boy and a friend were walking shoulder to the street when he was hit from behind by Bascom, driving a pickup truck. The impact threw the teen nearly 40 feet through the air, and his friend escaped any injury. 28-year-old Bascom stayed at the sight until police arrived, openly admitting that he had been texting at the moment of collision. Jeffrey Bascom is facing both criminal and civil suits. The wrongful death suit filed by the victim’s mother is a civil suit, while the automobile homicide charge is criminal. He is looking at potentially 20 years in prison, if he is convicted.

Texting and driving has become an increasing source of danger on the roads. In one month in 2011, more than 196 billion text messages were sent or received in the US. Nearly 50% more than the amount of messages sent two years before. Texting and driving is a serious risk:

  • One is 23 times more likely to crash when texting.
  • In the time it takes to read a received text message, or look at a phone long enough to send one, (an average of 4.6 seconds)  a car can travel the entire length of a football field.
  • Driving while using a cell phone reduces the amount of brain activity associated with driving by 37%

If you or someone you know has been injured in an accident involving texting and driving, call the expert  accident attorneys at Christensen & Hymas to fight for your rights. (801)-506-0800

Stats from Distraction.gov

Image courtesy of the Deseret News