Miami Injury Lawyer Blog
The justices on the New Hampshire Supreme Court traveled to a high school to hear arguments in a case they thought could have a resounding effect on the more than five-hundred students in attendance–whether reading a text message while driving constitutes recklessness worthy of prison time. Brenda Barth, a history teacher at Bow High School, brought seventy students to the Supreme Court’s “On the Road” session at Concord High School. She said her students felt invested in the cellphone case. Dozens of students even lined up at microphones to question the lawyers involved in the case after the arguments concluded last Thursday.
Chad Belleville is currently serving three-and-a-half to seven years behind bars for second-degree assault and vehicular assault. The thirty year old informed police that he was reading a text message and did not realize he had swerved across two lanes and into oncoming traffic. It was December 2010 when Belleville crashed into a couple’s car and caused traumatic brain injury to their teenage son. Since January 2010, New Hampshire has had a ban on sending text messages while driving. Drivers who are found violating the law face a $100 fine. However, reading a text message while driving is not explicitly banned in the state.
Austin Mahew, a junior at Concord High School, stated, “In a case like this, where he doesn’t actually send a text, there seems to be no concrete barrier on how long it takes for you to look at a phone before it’s illegal and endangers someone. One second’s a lot different than 10 seconds.” According to Belleville’s lawyer, the amount of time Belleville took his eyes off the road to read the text message did not rise to the level of felony recklessness. A prosecutor argued that Belleville was so focused on reading the text message that he failed to see three cars driving right at him.
NH high court hears texting case at high school, www.palmbeachpost.com October 17, 2013
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of serious injury and fatal car accidents. Texting while driving has been shown to drastically increase the risk for crashes, injuries, such as spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injury, and death. Many families have confronted the devastating effects of cellphone use while driving first hand. The Coral Gables automobile accident attorneys have dedicated their careers to helping victims and their families recover after tragic automobile accidents. If you or someone you love has been injured because of another driver’s negligence, the Fort Lauderdale insurance litigation attorneys can help you recover compensation for your injuries, pain and suffering, and lost wages. Call (305) 661-2008 for a free consultation with a Miami Beach motor vehicle accident attorney today!
The Miami personal injury attorneys at the Friedland | Carmona handle all types car accident cases throughout the state of Florida, including Boca Raton, Homestead, North Miami, South Miami, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Pembroke Pines, Hialeah, Kendall, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach. The Friedland | Carmona handles all types of personal injury claims, including wrongful death, defective products, medical malpractice, motor vehicle accidents and construction site injuries. Call today and let our family take care of your family!