- Articles (7)
- Aviation Accident (2)
- Birth injury (6)
- Bus Accidents (7)
- Car Accidents (212)
- Drunk Driving Accidents (4)
- Firm News (45)
- Medical Malpractice (105)
- Medication Errors (2)
- Personal Injury (107)
- Premises Liability (3)
- Product Liability (23)
- Railroad Accidents (1)
- Tort Reform (5)
- Truck Accidents (60)
- Workplace Accidents (12)
- Wrongful Death (50)
-
Vanderbilt Nurse's Medication Mistake Results in Death of Stable Patient
A recent fatal medical mistake at Vanderbilt University Medical Center is now jeopardizing the Medicare reimbursement ... -
Kinnard, Clayton & Beveridge Represents Surviving Children in Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Man Who Fatally Stabbed Wife in Nashville Suburb
Attorney Randall L. Kinnard and our legal team at Kinnard, Clayton & Beveridge have filed a wrongful death lawsuit ... -
Three Victims Killed in Pair of Tractor-Trailer Wrecks on Highway 13, I-40 in Tennessee
At least three victims were killed, and one seriously injured, in two separate wrecks involving commercial ... -
Fatal I-40 Ambulance Crash in Nashville Caused by Excessive Speed for Roadway Conditions, Police Report
Nashville police say excessive speed for road and weather conditions resulted in the death of two victims aboard a ...
-
Three Victims Killed in Pair of Tractor-Trailer Wrecks on Highway 13, I-40 in Tennessee
-
Child Dead, Over 40 Injured When Tennessee Youth Football Team Bus Crashes in Arkansas
-
Fatal I-40 Ambulance Crash in Nashville Caused by Excessive Speed for Roadway Conditions, Police Report
-
Vanderbilt Nurse's Medication Mistake Results in Death of Stable Patient
-
Kinnard, Clayton & Beveridge Represents Surviving Children in Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Man Who Fatally Stabbed Wife in Nashville Suburb
-
Tour Bus Overturns, Killing 2 & Injuring Dozens
-
Kentucky Supreme Court Strikes Down 2017 Law, Allows Medical Malpractice Suits
-
Randall L. Kinnard, Daniel L. Clayton, and Mark S. Beveridge Named to the 2018 List of Super Lawyers
Study finds cellphone-related crashes go unreported
Posted By Kinnard, Clayton & Beveridge May 9, 2013
According to the National Traffic Safety Administration's accident database, the state of Tennessee reported more cellphone-related fatal crashes than any other state in 2011. It should be noted that when it comes to the NHTSA's data -- which is highly publicized -- 2011 is the last year available.
In 2011, Tennessee reported 93 fatal accidents involving cellphones. In 2010 there were 71 fatal crashes involving cellphones reported.
However, it turns out that not only might this number actually be higher, but that across the board states are underreporting fatality crash data involving cellphones.
According to an analysis by the National Safety Council, the underreporting issue stems from a lack of consistency in accident data collection and reporting, as well as the tendency for drivers to not admit to being on the phone right before or during the crash. Additionally, if an officer does not have reason to believe a person was on their phone, the officer will most likely not further investigate the possibility, especially since this would normally mean getting a subpoena in order to obtain cellphone records to see the dates and times of calls.
What this means for the country as a whole is that the dangers associated with distracted driving from cellphones is downplayed. In turn, not having the true fatality numbers may be making it harder to pass stricter distracted driving laws.
At this point, the NHTSA has recognized the fact that the distracted driving data is weak. However, at least 35 states have reported using some sort of a model accident reporting form that is more up-to-date. These forms include boxes for an officer simply to check if a cellphone was used. This could end up leading to more accurate data and a clearer picture of just how dangerous distracted driving is.