According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving is any activity that diverts your attention away from the road and/or operating your vehicle safely. Distracted driving is extremely dangerous and has claimed many lives. The most tragic part is that these accidents are preventable.
Distracted Driving: Examples and Consequences
Common distractions leading to accidents include:
- Talking or texting on your phone
- Eating or drinking
- Talking to passengers
- Changing the radio station or streaming music
- Fiddling with your GPS
These actions have dire consequences. The NHTSA reports that in 2018 alone, 2,841 people died in vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers.
Being able to stream music, knowing the exact distance from your destination, or talking to your friends may not seem like a big deal, but even a couple of seconds looking away from the road can put you in serious danger. And of course, even if you never engage in distracted driving, you can’t predict what other drivers will do.
If you’ve been the victim of a car accident caused by a distracted driver, contact an attorney today. They will help collect evidence, pinpoint liability, and help you get compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses.
What to Do If You’ve Been Injured by a Distracted Driver
You should know what steps to take immediately after being involved in a car accident with a distracted driver.
- Call 911
- Take photographs of the accident scene
- Obtain witness contact information
- Ask for the other driver(s) contact and insurance information
- Obtain a copy of the police report
After taking these steps, contact your insurance company, and then contact a lawyer.
Personal injury lawyers are experienced in helping their clients pursue compensation following distracted driver accidents. If you were hit by a distracted driver, an auto accident lawyer will gather information and evidence like phone records that can prove distraction played a role in causing the accident.
A distracted driver who causes an accident can be charged with negligence. It is universally known that driving requires undivided attention. Drivers need to be able to respond to unpredictable events like an object falling into the road or a car suddenly braking. Therefore, the plaintiff in a distracted driving car accident case should show that the defendant breached their duty to use reasonable care while driving.
Once it has been established that the driver was negligent, your car accident attorney can then hold the driver liable for damages resulting from your injuries.
What to Do If You Were the Distracted Driver
If you think you caused a car accident due to distracted driving, do not admit fault or offer explanations to the other driver(s). An admission of fault may be used against you by the other driver’s insurance company or in court.
In many cases, there are multiple distracted drivers. Always speak with your personal injury attorney if you have any questions about distracted driving and who is at fault in these situations.