Munley Supports Ban on Cell Phones While Driving

Pennsylvania car accident attorney Caroline Munley today applauded a federal agency's recommendation for the prohibition of cell phone use by drivers of all personal and commercial vehicles.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommended to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in December that all drivers be prohibited from using cell phones and other electronic devices behind the wheel.

The proposal grew from the NTSB's investigation of a multi-vehicle collision in Missouri in 2010 that was caused by a pickup truck driver who was distracted by a text-messaging conversation. The wreck killed two and injured 38.

“We support the NTSB's recommendation for a complete ban on cell phone use by drivers of all motor vehicles,” said Munley of the Pennsylvania personal injury firm of Munley, Munley & Cartwright, P.C., which represents victims of car crashes and truck accidents throughout the Northeast.

“The growing trend in Pennsylvania and across the nation of wrongful deaths and injuries caused by distracted driving needs to become a thing of the past,” Munley continued.

“A ban that applies to private drivers makes perfect sense alongside the newly implemented prohibition on using handheld cell phones while operating interstate trucks and buses.”

Munley pointed to a final rule posted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration that prohibits interstate truck and bus drivers from using handheld cell phones while operating their vehicles. The rule took effect January 3.

Also, in November, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett signed a statewide ban on text messaging while driving, which goes into effect in early March.

The NTSB said 3,092 Americans died last year in motor vehicle crashes attributed to drivers' use of cell phones and other distractions.

Munley said her firm, which has investigated thousands of automotive accidents in Scranton and across Pennsylvania as part of personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits, has increasingly seen accidents attributed to distracted driving.

“We're glad to see that laws and regulations are beginning to catch up with the need to curb the negligent and reckless practices involved in distracted driving,” she said.

According to Munley, anyone harmed in an accident caused by a distracted driver should contact an experienced Pennsylvania accident attorney.

“Insurance companies can easily take advantage of unsuspecting accident victims after a collision,” Munley said. “That's why it's important to seek the assistance of a lawyer who has dealt with insurance companies in accidents involving private vehicles and commercial trucks and buses.”

About Munley, Munley & Cartwright, P.C.

Munley, Munley & Cartwright, P.C., is a Pennsylvania accident and injury law firm that represents car accident victims and their families throughout the state of Pennsylvania and the Northeast, including those injured in accidents that involve speeding, distracted driving, drunk driving, fatigued driving, aggressive driving and careless driving in hazardous weather conditions. The Pennsylvania personal injury law firm's additional practice areas include trucking accidents, motorcycle accidents, medical malpractice, defective products, toxic chemicals, workplace injuries, nursing home litigation and other serious accidents.

Munley, Munley & Cartwright, P.C., has offices throughout Pennsylvania, including Scranton, Stroudsburg, Carbondale, Plains, Hazleton and Hamlin. To contact the law firm, call (800) 318-LAW1 or use the firm's online contact form.