Shreveport Injury Lawyer > Blog > Distracted Driving Accident > New Study Considers Monetary Incentives to Prevent Distracted Driving

New Study Considers Monetary Incentives to Prevent Distracted Driving

Louisiana has one of the highest rates of distracted driving crashes in the country, leading to countless injuries and deaths among motor vehicle occupants, bicyclists, and pedestrians. According to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, in 2021 alone, 678 people were killed by a distracted driver, and more than 23,000 people were injured. Research suggests that number is likely an undercount since it is often difficult to know with certainty when distracted driving played a causal role in a crash. Given the high rate of distracted driving injuries and fatalities in Shreveport and throughout the state, it is particularly important to find ways to reduce the number of distracted drivers in Louisiana.

According to a recent study published in the peer-reviewed journal JAMA Open, monetary incentives could be a possible option to decrease distracted driving accidents across the U.S. Below, Shreveport car accident lawyers at Rice & Kendig break down what you need to know about this new research, as well as what you can do if you were recently injured in a distracted driving accident.

Financial Incentives to Avoid Distracted Driving

The new research published in JAMA Open revealed that, when drivers are “tempted with a cash incentive,” in addition to “regular feedback letting the driver know how they were doing compared to other drivers trying to reduce their phone time,” the rate of distracted driving “dropped significantly.” Motorists were significantly less likely to be distracted by talking or texting on a phone while driving with these incentives in place.

The monetary incentive was relatively minimal, $50 at the end of a nearly two-month period. Yet it is not simply the monetary incentive that stops distracted driving. The authors of the study underscored that the monetary incentive alone did not have nearly the same impact as the monetary incentive combined with the feedback. Most significantly, perhaps, the researchers found that these two paired incentives seemed to do much more to prevent distracted driving than steps to punish distracted driving, such as handheld phone bans.

What to Do if You Have Been Injured by a Distracted Driver

If you were recently injured by a distracted driver, whether as a vehicle occupant or as a bicyclist or pedestrian, you could be eligible to file a claim for compensation. Typically, an initial step is to file a third-party insurance claim with the distracted driver’s insurer. However, insurance claim payouts are often insufficient to cover losses, in which case it may be necessary to file a personal injury lawsuit.

You could be eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit against the distracted driver and any other liable parties. It is important to act quickly, however, because Louisiana has a one-year statute of limitations for wrecks occurring before July 1, 2024, and a two-year statute of limitations for wrecks occurring on or after July 1, 2024. This change in statute of limitations occurred recently due to the recent passage of a law in Louisiana. Be sure to speak with an experienced Shreveport auto accident lawyer at Rice & Kendig to ensure that you file suit within the proper timeframe.

Contact a Shreveport Distracted Driving Lawyer Today

Anyone who has been injured in a distracted driving crash in Louisiana should seek legal advice about filing a claim. Whether you plan to begin with an insurance claim through the distracted driver’s policy or you need assistance filing a personal injury lawsuit to seek full compensation, you should contact one of our experienced Shreveport distracted driving attorneys at Rice & Kendig as soon as possible. We have more than 40 years of experience in helping injured Louisianans receive the justice and compensation they deserve. Call 318-222-2772 to schedule a free consultation with our legal team today.

Sources:

lahighwaysafety.org/our-programs/distracted-driving/#:~:text=In%20Louisiana%2C%20678%20people%20were,people%20suffered%20a%20serious%20injury

pennmedicine.org/news/news-releases/2024/july/when-theres-money-to-lose-phone-usage-while-driving-drops

By Rice & Kendig, LLC | Posted on October 16, 2024

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