Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog
Teens face some of the most dangerous risks for car accidents in Port St. Lucie and elsewhere. Much of these risks are the result of their inexperience behind the wheel. Believe it or not but much of their risks are due to a cause that’s completely preventable — distractions.
Every day, more and more teens are getting into accidents because they’re simply not paying attention behind the wheel. Just ask 18-year-old Massachusetts teen Aaron Deveau, who was recently found guilty on charges of vehicular homicide because of texting while driving, according to CNN.
Because the teen was text messaging while driving, he got into a car accident that wound up killing a 55-year-old and seriously injuring another person. The teen was charged and convicted of vehicular homicide, negligent operation of a vehicle and texting while driving because of that 2011 accident.
Our Port St. Lucie injury lawyers have been talking recently about the risks and the dangers that our young drivers face on our roadways, especially when distractions are involved. This time of the year is the most dangerous on our roadways for these motorists. We’re asking parents to share this story, the story of Massachusetts’ Aaron Deveau to let them know just how serious of a problem distracted driving is and what kind of consequences it comes with. Knowledge is key in helping to prevent these kinds of accidents.
“I made a mistake,” Deveau said. “If I could take it back, I would take it back.”
The judge in Deveau’s case sentenced him to nearly three years behind bars on the vehicular homicide charge and another two years on the texting and causing injury charge. The teen driver will be serving one year concurrently on both of the charges. The balance of both charges is suspended for five years. In addition, his driver’s license will be suspended for another 15 years.
The accident happened back in 2011 when the young driver drove his car across the center lines of a road in Haverhill. A cell phone served as the distraction and took the young driver’s eyes off of the roadway. As his car drove into oncoming traffic, he slammed head on into the victim’s vehicle killing the driver and seriously injuring the passenger. Police officers believe that the teen erased some of his texts and phone calls before officers arrived, as these young drivers are not allowed to use cell phones while driving.
That’s not the case in Florida. Drivers of all ages in the Sunshine State are allowed to text message and make phone calls as they wish, unfortunately. There are 38 states that prohibit all drivers from text messaging behind the wheel. Another 31 states have banned novice drivers from using a cell phone behind the wheel, according to the Governor’s Highway Safety Association (GHSA).
If you or the young driver in your family has been injured or killed in a car accident in Port St. Lucie, Weston, Hallandale or elsewhere in the South Florida area, contact the personal injury attorneys of Freeman, Mallard, Sharp & Gonzalez, LLC to set up a free and confidential appointment to discuss your case. Call 1-800-561-7777.
More Blog Entries:
Text Messages a Top Contributor to Teen Accidents in West Palm Beach during 100 Deadliest Days, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, June 1, 2012
Teen Car Accidents in Weston and Elsewhere Fighting Against GDL Program, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, May 30, 2012