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How apps may influence driving behavior

On Behalf of | Dec 20, 2016 | Car Accidents |

Snapchat advises those in West Virginia and elsewhere to not use its speed filter while driving. However, some say that the warning is not enough, and they also say that such filters may encourage reckless driving. In October 2016, a 22-year-old man lost his life just minutes after posting a video in which his vehicle accelerated to speeds as high as 115.6 miles per hour.

According to police, he lost control of his vehicle just nine minutes after it was posted. After the driver lost control, the vehicle crossed a median and collided with a minivan. A 19-year-old passenger in the man’s car was also killed in the crash. A mother and her two children in the minivan were killed while another three people were injured. A blogger for Safer America says that the speed filter app is alluring to those who want to visually represent what they are doing in the moment.

She also said that while the filter may be appealing, it is attractive for the wrong reasons. Lawmakers in Virginia tried to pass legislation that would prohibit people from snapping and driving. It failed to pass and was postponed until at least 2017. Snapchat does warn users of the speed filter to not snap and drive when they first use the filter.

Those who are driving at high rates of speed at the time of an accident may be guilty of negligent driving. Anyone who is hurt in a crash involving a negligent driver may be entitled to compensation. Compensation may include reimbursement for medical bills as well for lost wages and future earnings. An attorney may be able to help an injured victim pursue a financial award either through a formal trial or through informal settlement talks.