Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer

Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer

Distracted driving can take many forms.  It can include texting, looking at directions, talking on the phone or to a passenger, eating, driving while drowsy, and many others.  Distracted driving is any activity that takes the drivers’ attention away from the most important task. . . driving.

Regardless of what causes the distraction, distracted driving can be deadly.  The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration reports that distracted driving killed 3,142 people in the United States in 2019.

Of all distractions, texting is the one that carries the most risk of causing a crash.  Reading and sending a text can take the driver’s eyes off the road for close to 5 seconds each time.  This may seem like a short period of time, but when a car is traveling fast, it can cover a large area in only a few seconds.

If you have been injured in a similar type of car accident due to the negligence of an at-fault driver, showing that the other driver was distracted may increase the value of your personal injury claim.  Effective January 1, 2021, Virginia law prohibits drivers from holding cell phones while driving.  Drivers may still talk on their phones, but they are not permitted to hold them.

For distracted driving accident cases, it may be important to get witness statements and sometimes even cell phone records to improve the strength of your injury claim.

Collisions Involving Distracted Driving

In accidents involving distracted drivers, an at-fault driver’s inattention and distraction can cause:

• Rear-end collisions
• Collisions at intersections
• T-bone or side impact collisions
• Collisions while backing

Injuries From Distracted Driving Accidents

Many times, distracted driving collisions happen at a high rate of speed.  If the at-fault driver is not paying attention to the road, it is easy to allow the car the quickly accelerate and slam into another vehicle.

Because these collisions can occur at higher speeds, they can frequently cause severe injuries.  These accident can cause injuries to the neck and surrounding muscles; the upper and lower portions of the back; concussions and traumatic brain injuries; arm and leg injuries; as well as damage to the upper torso because of catching action of the seat belt.

What Should You Do If You Were Seriously Injured In A Distracted Driving Car Accident?

Make sure you or someone you know gets photos of the accident scene and your vehicle following the collision.  When we handle your accident case, we obtain the accident report, your medical information and interview any witnesses for you.

Following a distracted driving accident, your first concern should be to focus on recovering from your injuries.  Get all the medical treatment you need to fully recover. Let the doctors treating you know exactly what happened to your body during the accident, including what portions of the body were struck, locations of bruises, areas of soreness, whether you lost consciousness, and problems with vision or memory. You should also be prepared to describe the kind (achy or sharp) and location of the pain you are experiencing.

Dealing With Insurance Companies

Claims adjusters work for insurance companies and must act in the best interest of the insurance company. It’s that simple. They have lawyers to protect their interests, and you need the same protection.  You need an experienced team of personal injury lawyers to make sure you receive a full settlement for all of your damages — your injuries, lost wages, and pain and suffering.