Louisiana Car Accident Lawyer James Wattigny Comments on Report about LSU Distracted Driving Research
New Iberia, LA (PRWEB) December 30, 2013 -- Recent studies conducted by Louisiana State University College of Engineering shed light on the dangers of texting while driving and a number of other potential safety hazards, according to James Wattigny, a distracted driving lawyer in Louisiana.
The Advocate (“LSU studies cellphone use while driving,” December 11) reported that LSU has positioned itself as a national expert on road safety over the past year-and-a-half due to advanced research techniques and virtual driver simulation courses that are designed to accurately depict realistic driving conditions – and numerous hazards and dangerous behaviors – that drivers face every day across the state.
“Thanks to the continued efforts of the staff and students at Louisiana State University’s College of Engineering, we have learned that a large gap in driver safety exists between those who are talking on their cell phone and those who choose to text and drive,” said Wattigny. “Louisiana State University researchers have found that driver distraction after a text message could last more than 3 seconds after the texting has stopped. It’s possible that texting drivers are much more dangerous behind the wheel than originally thought.”
According to the Advocate, volunteers were invited to step into LSU’s driving simulator for the past year-and-a-half as part of a study on hazardous conditions and dangerous behaviors that drivers could potentially face. The simulator is equipped with cameras, projectors and screens that are designed to depict realistic driving conditions, the story said.
While behind the wheel of the simulator, the Advocate said that volunteers were asked to drive a series of simulation runs. They were asked to complete tasks such as following a car ahead of them. While doing so, the Advocate reported that drivers would receive phone calls or be asked to send or read a text messages, being evaluated on their acceleration, braking, and ability to stay in their lane.
“Preliminary findings by LSU indicate that there is a significant difference in safety between drivers who talk and drivers who text – a difference that’s not necessarily differentiated on crash reports in Louisiana,” said Wattigny, an accident attorney in Louisiana.
That’s because law enforcement often cite drivers for behavior that resulted from texting, such as careless or reckless operation, according to the Advocate.
Wattigny said the findings are not all that surprising, as he often handles legal cases involving distracted driving.
“If you have been injured by a distracted driver, whether it was someone texting or talking on a cellphone, you should seek the advice of legal counsel. You may be entitled to compensation. While the other driver might have meant no harm, the unfortunate effects are often the same,” Wattigny said.
About James Wattigny Law Firm, LLC
Serving personal injury and accident victims in New Iberia, Lafayette and throughout the state of Louisiana, attorney James Wattigny has a well-earned reputation as an aggressive, determined accident attorney who tirelessly fights to protect the rights of clients. Wattigny and his experienced legal team handle a wide variety of cases, including motor car and truck accidents, workplace accidents, offshore accidents, property accidents, business litigation, medical malpractice and other cases involving personal injury.
If you need help after a car accident, call (337) 364-8272 to schedule a free case evaluation.
James Wattigny Law Firm, LLC is located at:
124 West Washington Street, Suite C
New Iberia, LA 70560
http://www.wattignylaw.com/
Jacob M Del Hagen, Big Voodoo Interactive, http://www.bigvoodoo.com, +1 (413) 650-0593, [email protected]
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