Columbia Auto Accident Attorney

The Columbia auto accident attorney division of Auger & Auger is well aware that vehicle collision injuries can range from mild to severe. Of course your first step following a collision should be to seek medical attention — even if it isn’t an obvious injury. Many times people have pain on day two or even a week later; never realizing it was the crash at fault.

Your next step should be to call the firm of Auger & Auger. Our attorneys believe that the majority of accidents aren’t ‘accidents’ at all and the CDC would agree. According to the their research, more than 1,000 people are injured on a daily basis as the result of distracted driving; a completely preventable behavior.

Cell Phones Are Deadly Distractions

You need to be somewhere but you’re running late, so you grab your breakfast, a cup of coffee, and your phone call list, and decide to finish your morning routine behind the wheel. All of these activities take your attention away from where it should be: on the road.

If you are a Columbia auto accident attorney, you know that other distractions don’t even come close to cell phones. Using a cell phone while driving encompasses all three identified types of distraction: visual, manual, and cognitive. It is illegal in Columbia to text someone while driving but if you want to hold your phone and chat, you’re free to do so in the eyes of the law.

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The World Health Organization (WHO) says that a driver who uses their cell phone behind the wheel is four times more likely to be involved in an auto accident. Why? Because most drivers take their eyes off the road to look at their phone (visual distraction), remove their hands from the wheel to hold their phone (manual distraction), and mentally disengage from the road to talk or text (cognitive distraction).

Electronic Device Restrictions in Columbia

Despite legislation known as the DUI-E bill (Driving Under the Influence of Electronics), South Carolina is not among the 14 states that prohibit the use of hand-held cell phones behind the wheel — because the bill never made it to a vote.

While there is no outright prohibition of driving while on a cell phone, there are restrictions. According to Section 56-5-3890 Code of Laws a driver is not allowed to:

• Read a text, email, or instant message
• Compose a text, email, or instant message
• Send a text, email or instant message

Interestingly, the code does not specify “cell phone,” but prohibits these actions while using a wireless communication device; such as a tablet, cell phone, computer, or media player. A person convicted of a violation of this law is subject to a $25 fine.

This section of the state code does not apply to you if you are lawfully stopped or parked. It also allows drivers to perform the actions on hands-free devices and vehicle operators won’t be cited when attempting to summon emergency services. Legalities aside, drivers are urged to refrain from using their cell phones behind the wheel due to the proven danger of the behavior.

Legal Skills & Experience Matter

Auger & Auger has represented victims of auto collisions for more than four decades. We know that distracted driving is a relatively new category when it comes to auto accidents, but it is quickly becoming a prevailing cause. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident resulting from cell phone use or any other type of distraction, you deserve aggressive representation.

As a Columbia auto accident attorney practice, we believe in treating our clients fairly. We never want to add to your financial distress, and in order to accomplish this goal we have initiated our zero-fee guarantee. You don’t owe us payment until we have a successful case outcome, and at that time our fee will be deducted from the compensation.

Call (803) 470-5298 today for your free consultation, with no fees due until recovery!