Distracted Driving Can Be Deadly

A fatal car crash late last year in Cook County proves that texting is only one of the distractions preventing drivers from keeping their attention on the road.

At about 8:00am on December 27, 21-year-old Araceli Beas struck and killed Raymond Veloz, 70, in South Chicago. Veloz had been involved in a minor fender bender and had stepped out of his car to speak to the driver of the other vehicle when Beas hit him. He died later that day at the hospital.

Tragically, it appears that Veloz's death could have been easily prevented. According to a lawsuit filed by Veloz's daughter, Regina Cabrales, Beas had updated her Facebook status at 7:54am, the same time that Veloz's phone was used to place a call to 911.

Beas claims that she did, in fact, use her phone to access Facebook, but did so while she sat in her car waiting for it to warm up in the parking lot of her boyfriend's home, which was located about two miles from the accident site. While investigators are waiting to receive more information about the timing mechanisms of both phones, it appears initially that Beas' use of her cell phone to access Facebook may have played a part in Veloz's death.

Causes of Distraction on the Rise

No doubt that most drivers are familiar with the dangers posed by texting and driving. But the capabilities of advanced phones offer more opportunities for distraction than phone calls and texting. Indeed, as the use of apps to access social media platforms and other information becomes more widespread, more crashes are likely to occur.

An Attorney Can Help

If you or someone you love has been involved in a car accident with a distracted driver, contact an experienced personal injury attorney. A personal injury lawyer can assess your case and help you get the compensation you deserve. For more information, contact an attorney today.