If you’re raising a teenager, you know how important their phone is to them. They’re always on it, and it can be tough to peel them away from their screens. When they start driving, though, teen texting and driving will be an issue that you will need to address. While this may seem like a challenge, it is possible to educate yours in ways that are impactful and meaningful. 

Approaching this issue in the right way is crucial to getting through to your teenager. When done in the right way, it presents an opportunity to mold your son or daughter into a responsible, conscious driver. This has countless benefits for them, you, and all the other drivers on the road. Here are five tips to prevent your teen from texting and driving:

1. Talk About Teen Texting and Driving 

As with most teen issues, communication can do wonders. Your teenager might be willing and possibly even eager to discuss texting and driving. They probably have more personal experience with the subject than you, because many parents didn’t grow up with cell phones. They may have friends or classmates who have already been affected by teenage texting and driving accidents. 

What they might not know are the more “real-world” consequences of distracted driving. Issues like raised insurance rates, costs of a ticket, and texting and driving laws might be foreign to them. These are ideas you can explain so they grasp the full picture of how texting and driving affects everyone around them. 

These types of talks can create a bonding point and can help both sides see the reality from both a younger and an adult perspective. Try and have these talks early — the sooner, the better. Later on, simple reminders as they head out on a Friday night can reinforce awareness of the risks you’ve already discussed.

2. Set an Example

Adults also shouldn’t be texting and driving, but if you have children or teenagers, be especially mindful that you’re not texting and driving in front of them. 

Teenagers often learn by copying and mimicking. They will do what you do. Also, if they see that you’re doing exactly what you tell them not to, they will see right through to the unfairness of that. It will be hard to explain if they ask, “Why can you do that, but I can’t?” 

Be mindful of when you text them. If you know that your child will be out driving, try to avoid texting them while they’re on the road. These small practices add up and create an overall environment of safety for your entire household.

3. Cite Statistics

While it may seem like your teen is aloof and disconnected, their generation is actually highly concerned about community. They are a globally-minded, group-focused generation. That’s why they’re texting all the time — to stay connected with their peers. Talk about how distracted driving accidents can impact their whole neighborhoods, schools, and communities. This will resonate with them much more than focusing on how it affects only them personally.

Use these types of texting and driving statistics to illustrate how widespread the problem is: 

• 40% of teen drivers said they have been in a vehicle when the driver used a cell phone in a way that caused a car accident
• Texting while driving is six times more likely to cause a car accident than drunk driving
• 4,637 people died in car crashes in 2018 due to cell phone use
• Cell phone use while driving caused an estimated 1.5 million car crashes in the U.S. in 2017
• Insurance penalties for distracted driving have grown by nearly 8,000% since 2012
• 14% of fatal crashes involve the use of cell phones while driving

Texting and driving isn’t just an individual problem; it’s a social one and a communal one. A single car accident can affect entire families and groups of friends. This is what will hit home with your teenagers.

4. Set Consequences — and Enforce Them 

Driving is a privilege, not a right. Teenagers need to understand that the right to drive can be taken away if needed, either by the law or by you. 

In the event that they are caught in the act, consequences you can impose include:

• Take away their car keys for a while
• If they (fortunately) only got a ticket, or if their insurance has gone up as a result, have them pay for it or take it out of their allowance. 
• Confiscate their phone, especially while in the car or driving 

Connecticut distracted driving laws impose a $125 fine for a first-time ticket; a second ticket costs $250. Again, these are consequences that a young driver might not be aware of, so communication is key to instilling safe driving habits.

5. Limit Texting While Driving Through Apps

There are also tech-based options for shutting off text. These apps typically work by shutting off texting capabilities during driving or at certain speeds.

Apps are a “band-aid fix” but not really a thorough solution to the root of the problem: teen texting and driving is a behavioral issue. It falls under the general category of distracted driving, which includes actions like putting on makeup while driving or reaching in the backseat for a jacket. It also includes looking at a passenger’s phone while driving (another dangerous behavior).

When a person has a habit of driving while unfocused, many different items can pull their eyes off the road. If it’s not the phone, it’ll be another distraction. The best way is to form good driving habits and awareness early on. That being said, text limiting apps can still be highly valuable for removing the temptation to engage in texting and driving.

Distracted Driving Affects the Lives of Many

Today’s younger drivers are highly intelligent, more tech-savvy than ever, and are conscious about how their actions affect larger groups. Start them off young and they might even become advocates and spokespersons one day for driving safety and awareness.  

Youths often have to deal with the devastating effects of texting and driving at an early age. These types of accidents can be catastrophic, traumatizing, and in many cases, fatal. At The Flood Law Firm, we understand how important it is to minimize accident and injury risks as much as possible.

Why Choose The Flood Law Firm

If you or a loved one has been affected by a texting and driving accident, we’re here to help you get justice. The attorneys at The Flood Law Firm have more than 30 years of combined experience in over 150 jury trials involving accidents and injuries. We work tirelessly to help our clients get the compensation they are owed. 

Our dedicated lawyers are on hand to listen to the details of your case. Get in touch with us at any time at (877) 987-9529 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.

In Connecticut, road conditions can create driving challenges. Issues like rain, sleet, and snow can cause safety risks for all drivers on the road. Traffic congestion in places like the I-95 often increases the likelihood of an accident. On top of all this, dealing with the aftereffects of a motorcycle accident can be stressful. Knowing what to do after a motorcycle accident can help ensure that you get the healing and compensation that you deserve.

There are several steps you should take after a motorcycle accident to make your life easier. We want to ensure that you receive the proper remedies for your accident. The following tips will help you prepare for a personal injury claim. 

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident

The first thing you need to do after a motorcycle accident is to seek immediate medical attention, even for seemingly minor crashes. Your health and safety take top priority. 

If you can, gather as much information at the scene of the accident right after it happens. Broken glass and other evidence tends to be cleared from the area rather quickly. After a motorcycle accident, you should:

• Contact the police: Local authorities and first responders can help you file a report, and can provide initial treatment if you’ve suffered any injuries. 
• Gather information: Take down the names and contact information of any people who were involved in the accident.
• Take photos or video: Capture pictures or video of the accident scene. Include photos of any injuries you have sustained, as well as any damage to your motorcycle.
• Collect witness statements: Getting statements from any witnesses or bystanders is crucial if you need to file a lawsuit. Their comments can be used as evidence, helping the court to determine fault and liability.
• Avoid admitting fault: While you should be cooperative and communicative with the other parties, avoid making any statements regarding your liability or anyone else’s. Your words can be used against you, and it’s possible that you may have an incomplete view of the situation without the help of a lawyer.
• Contact your insurance provider: Let your insurance carrier know about the accident so they can begin the process of evaluating your insurance claim.
• Write an account of what happened: Include the location of the accident, time of day, the direction you were traveling, and the purpose of your trip. Be sure to note any dangerous driving behaviors of the other party. You should do this while the details are still fresh in your memory.

Keeping these steps top-of-mind can help you take action right after an accident. You can jot these steps down and store them somewhere on your motorcycle or in your phone notes.

Motorcycle Accident Injuries and Damages

Motorcycle injuries are often severe and life-changing. A minor crash will be more damaging in a motorcycle crash due to the smaller size of motorcycles. Motorcycle accident injuries frequently result in:

• Broken bones
• Permanent scarring or significant disfigurement
• Loss of important bodily functions
• Spinal cord injuries
• Paralysis

Not all injuries show up immediately, especially those involving traumatic brain injury. Changes in behavior might only become noticeable later on. You need to take close observation of your actions, speech patterns, and motor functions in the days and weeks following a crash.

Because there can be so many issues involved, you may need to pursue a motorcycle accident lawsuit or a motorcycle accident settlement. Legal action can cover damages and expenses that standard insurance claims often won’t, including:

• Medical costs and bills
• Fees associated with rehabilitation treatments
• Pain and suffering
• Any lost wages, or a loss of the ability to earn wages in the future
• Wrongful death expenses

Calculation of damages involves various factors, including the nature of the injuries and the total time of physical recovery. The other driver’s conduct can drastically affect a monetary damages award, such as when they were extremely negligent or reckless, or were found to be drunk driving.

Protect Yourself from Injury

There are many steps you can take before riding that can increase your safety levels and minimize the risk of injury. Be sure to:

• Perform regular inspections of your bike and gear before you head out
• Follow all road safety and traffic rules
• Leave ahead of schedule so you’re not in a rush
• Always wear proper safety gear — “dress for the slide, not the ride”

For further safety training, you can sign up for motorcycle safety courses in Connecticut. An excellent place to start is the Connecticut Rider Education Program (CONREP) for Motorcycle Safety, which has programs for Basic, Intermediate, Experienced, Advanced, and Sidecar-Trike riders.

How a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Help You

Dealing with a motorcycle accident claim can put a lot on your mind, especially right after a crash. We understand what you’re going through and how important it is for you to pursue justice. If the careless acts of another driver caused you injury, you may be entitled to recovery. 

At The Flood Law Firm, our attorneys are committed to guiding those whose lives have been affected by vehicle accidents. 

What sets us apart from other motorcycle accident law firms is our proven ability to try your case. We have handled thousands of injury settlements and have the resources to get your life back on track. Get in touch with us today at (877) 985-9529 for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation. We’re here to help you receive the compensation you need. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost half of all child car and booster seats were incorrectly installed and misused, making it the primary reason for childhood injuries in 2016.

Even if you consider yourself a relatively safe driver, the negligence of others should be enough to encourage all parents and caregivers to understand the importance of proper car seat use.

In the spirit of Child Passenger Safety Week from September 15-21, we’ve compiled the top 3 myths surrounding car and booster seats, followed by accurate information. It could save the lives of your most precious cargo in the event of an accident.
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