The advancements of technologies mean that more people than ever are enjoying entertainment and communication with devices such as tablets and smartphones. And with the popularity of social media such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, now more than an ever throughout the United States, including the Saint Peters, Missouri area and throughout the midwest, people are staying in touch with family, friends and consumers and customers through their smart phones.

One of the most common fad is that of the “selfie”, or taking a picture of oneself with their smartphone or tablet and sharing it on their favorite social media site. While in most cases this is a harmless action, it is becoming a disturbing trend for those taking selfies of themselves on the roads. Recently trending hashtags, or keywords, that they use include #SelfieWhileDriving, #DrivingSelfie and the cringe-worthy #HopeIDon’tCrash.

While these selfies are not done maliciously and the hashtags may be done in jest, the seriousness of distracted driving is no joke. Texting and driving and now selfies while driving can lead to serious or fatal car accidents, not only for the distracted or negligent driver, but for innocent victims sharing the roads with them.

As we all know, car accident injuries can be catastrophic, often leading to serious medical costs, significant rehabilitation and time out of work. Thankfully, accident victims may be entitled to compensation for their injuries. This could also include compensation for pain and suffering along with lost wages and money to recoup for medical costs and rehab.

Source: CBS, “Fatal attraction for drivers: taking a ‘selfie’ on the highway,” By Ed Leefeldt, May 11, 2017