While Minnesota residents may be less distracted using a wearable device to send or receive text messages while driving, it doesn’t make the endeavor any safer. This is among the findings of a study that had 20 people send and receive text messages with either a smartphone or a Google Glass device while in a driving simulator.
Those who receive a text message are advised to pull to the side of the road to read it. While using a tool like Google Glass allowed a driver to keep both hands on the wheel, it also resulted in drivers focusing more on the conversation as opposed to the road. Therefore, it may not be possible for a driver to send or receive text messages while in a moving car until driverless technology is adopted. However, that may still be a long ways off.
If a person is hurt by someone who is texting and driving prior to an accident, he or she could be entitled to compensation. This is because driving while distracted is generally considered to be negligence. Compensation may help to cover medical bills, lost wages and lost future earnings. It could also be used to help pay for any property lost or destroyed in an accident.
An attorney may review the case to determine if the driver who caused the crash was distracted when it occurred. It may also be possible for an attorney to determine if multiple parties are liable for damages. This could be true if an accident is caused by someone driving an employer’s vehicle or if poor road design played a part in causing a crash. In such a scenario, the employer or a government agency could be held liable for damages too.