New Jersey personal injury attorneys know how dangerous distracted driving is, but for most high school students, sending text messages and talking on cell phones are a normal part of everyday life. However, there are some situations in which texting and talking are dangerous, and one group in the state of New Jersey is committed to convincing teens about the all-too-real dangers of cell phone use while driving.
Recently, the Clearview Regional High School student body sat silent as Washington Township resident Angela Donato told the story of her 28-year-old-sister, Toni Donato-Bolis, who died on June 1, 2011 in a head-on crash. The young driver who hit her was allegedly talking on his cell phone and searching for his GPS when the accident occurred. Donato-Bolis was nine months pregnant at the time of her accident; the crash took the life of her expected child as well. She was survived by her husband and two-year-old-daughter.
Since the accident, Donato-Bolis's family has teamed up with legislators, schools, the New Jersey Attorney General, and AT&T's Mid-Atlantic president to send the message that distracted driving can kill. Additionally, Governor Chris Christie signed a proclamation declaring September 19th as “no texting while driving” day. In conjunction with this event, state Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa asked all students to sign a lifetime pledge to refrain from texting and driving. Following their assembly, Clearview Regional High School students flocked to pledge boards to affirm their commitments.
A single incident of distracted driving can cause serious injuries or even death. Fortunately, New Jersey law provides recourse for accident victims to seek compensation.
The NJ personal injury attorneys of Helmer, Conley & Kasselman represent accident victims throughout the state of New Jersey.
