Effective January 1, 2010 Oregon drivers are prohibited from driving and using a cell unless you use a “hands free” accessory as defined under the new driving law. Having handled lots of cases involving cell phone use it stands to reason that if the at fault driver is found to be using a cell phone without the accessory then not only would they receive a criminal driving infraction but the claim for statutory negligence in a civil context will certainly affect the money you can expect to receive on your Oregon injury claim. If you want more info on cell phone laws go to www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/cellphonelaws.html.

Oregon’s 2008 anti teen texting law

Texting and driving certainly don’t mix like a good mixer and I recently saw a report that the 2008 teen cell phone law which prohibits texting while driving has resulted in only two criminal infractions issued through the entire state. While laws without the beef to back them up end of being derided the effect on your civil automobile injury claim in the state of Oregon could end up getting you more money provided there is real proof that the at fault driver was texting and driving. Getting injured is certainly no fun and getting a serious injury from a texting teen at fault driver is an outrage for which more money should flow to you.

Cell phone use and texting messages while driving is leading to more serious car accidents nationwide and in Oregon state and Washington state.

Recent improvements and the spread of electronics like cell phones, text messaging, car DVD players and computer keyboards and printers in cars are leading to more car accidents nationwide. In my case load I certainly see the trend of these electronics making their way into automobiles. Driver use of electronics is certainly causing more accidents and a good car accident injury lawyer will do the leg work to assure that he gets all the evidence to prove his negligence case if the car crash involves cell phones or other electronic devices. These devices can distract drivers from paying attention to the road conditions and other drivers.

It is important for an injury lawyer to find out if the at fault driver was using a cell phone while driving. This is because a jury will usually award money damages for pain and suffering if it can be demonstrated that the at fault driver was callus enough to risk other’s health and welfare by driving and using pda devices like cell phones and text messaging. I just read an excellent article about this increasing problem in the February 12th, 2008 edition of the NY Times called “High-tech Invitations Take Your Mind Off Road.” The Times reports the NHTSA is finding that 80% of car crashes and up to 65% of near car accidents are caused in some measure by driver distraction.

In handling air bag cases and serious injury head on crash cases I see a trend that perhaps auto manufactures might be held liable for crashes involving modification they make to cars to help drivers use the pda devices while driving. I can also foresee punitive damages and more successful liability claims against drivers who drive and talk on their cell phones, use pdas while driving, laptops or use other electronics like GPS systems to help them navigate.