THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF MINNESOTA WANTS TOUGHER DISTRACTED DRIVING LAWS
In October 2018 Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson proposed several measures to toughen distracted driving laws in Minnesota.
Among those changes: requiring hands-free cellphone use while driving, increasing penalties for texting while driving, and suspending driver’s licenses of repeat offenders.
Current Minnesota Distracted Driving law include the following:
Texting and Web Access: Pursuant to Minnesota Traffic Laws, Minnesota Statute 169.475. it is illegal for drivers of all ages to compose, read, or send electronic messages or access the Internet on a wireless device when the vehicle use in motion or part of traffic. This includes being stopped in traffic or at a traffic signal light. This law does not apply to devices that are permanently affixed to the vehicle or global positioning our navigational systems.
Cell Phone Use and Texting: Pursuant to Minnesota Traffic Laws, Minnesota Statute 171.05, it is illegal for drivers under the age of 18 to use a cell phone, whether handheld or hands-free, except to call 911 in an emergency.
In a news release Attorney General Swanson said “We need to change the culture around distracted driving and make it not be OK for people to do this,” adding “We should apply some of the successful drunken driving reform measures to distracted driving, which has become an epidemic on the roads.”
Distracted driving is a deadly behavior causing many deaths and serious injuries. Federal studies suggested distracted driving contributes to approximately 5000 wrongful deaths every year on our nation’s highways.
The Schmidt Salita Law Team are Top Rated Car Accident Lawyers
The Lawyers at Schmidt Salita Law Team are 5 star rated for cases including Personal Injury and Wrongful Death. The Schmidt and Salita Law Team lawyers are rated 5 stars by their clients who have personal experience with their skills and compassion for their clients. Senior Trial attorney at the Law Team considers the respect and appreciation of his clients to be the highest and best reward possible.
75 Years Combined Experience in Car Accident Claims
While our state has not made cell phone use while driving illegal, it seems likely to be on the horizon. Studies have shown that driving while talking on a cell phone is just as dangerous as drunk driving. Around 2,500 people are killed every year in cell phone related car accidents. Just because the activity is still legal in Minnesota does not mean cell-phone distracted drivers cannot be held responsible. If you were involved in a crash due to another driver’s cell phone use, contact the Minneapolis cell phone car accident attorneys at Schmidt-Salita Law Team.
Our Injury lawyers investigate the accident thoroughly.
Just like drivers who read or apply makeup behind the wheel, those who use cell phones while driving are considered reckless. A Minnesota Personal Injury or Workers’ Compensation lawyer can be a great advantage to anyone injured by a reckless driver. We will help you obtain witnesses and find evidence that other lawyers may overlook. For example, if the other driver claims they were not speaking on the phone when they struck your vehicle, a Minneapolis auto accident attorney from our firm can subpoena the cell phone company to receive a copy of the driver’s cell phone use record.
The Schmidt Salita Team Offers Contingent Fee Arrangements.
The firm offers contingent fee agreements (You don’t pay lawyers fees until you collect and then only as a percentage of the settlement). It also offers home and hospital visits to clients whose injuries present difficulty in coming to the office.
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The Schmidt Salita Law Team has locations throughout the Twin Cities metropolitan area of Minneapolis and St. Paul, as well as Minnetonka, Maple Grove, Plymouth, Osseo, Anoka, Coon Rapids, Brooklyn Center, Fridley, Blaine, Shoreview, Woodbury, Falcon Heights, Columbia Park, Stillwater, Hastings, Inver Grove, Cottage Grove, South St. Paul, Apple Valley, Eagan, Burnsville, Savage, Shakopee, Richfield, Bloomington, Chaska, Chanhassen, Edina, Eden Prairie, and Hopkins.
