It probably comes as little surprise that a recent study found a strong link between texting while driving and car accidents. The study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that texting while driving makes a driver 23 times more likely to have an accident. Unfortunately, in one study 21% of drivers acknowledged that they emailed or texted while driving. This dangerous trend must stop or injury and fatality rates, which have been down generally in recent years will rise. It is also likely that causing an auto accident by texting will result in lawsuits seek punitive damages from the driver.
Generally punitive damages are only available if the persons actions rise to the level of willful or wanton acts or that the acts show conscious disregard for the safety of others. Given the high likelihood of a crash while texting and the tragic injuries than can result it's possible that texting while driving will be viewed by juries as negatively as drinking while driving. More information on the study can be found in the New York Times Article, " In Study, Texting Lifts Crash Risk by Large Margin."
