The modern world is one of distractions: billboards, app alerts, radio commercials, email notifications — the list goes on. When we get behind the wheel of a vehicle, these distractions follow us, and it takes discipline to stay focused on the task at hand: driving safely, obeying traffic laws, and helping everyone else on the road stay safe. It is alarmingly common to look over to the driver next to us on the road and realize that they are texting, applying makeup, eating, entering their destination in a GPS, or engaging in some other sort of action that takes their eyes off the road (visual distraction), hands off the wheel (manual distraction), or mind off of driving (cognitive distraction).
Driving distracted is one of the biggest threats to all drivers on the road and played a part in the deaths of 3,142 drivers in 2019. If you have been in an accident that a distracted driver caused, then you may be entitled to compensation in the form of a personal injury claim, commonly through their automotive insurance provider. However, personal injury law provides pathways towards many damages that insurance adjusters will either attempt to downplay or outright overlook as they work towards their goal of settling your claim for as little money as possible.
This is why working with an attorney after a distracted driving accident is one of the most important and strategic decisions you can make.
Find an Attorney For Your Distracted Driving Case With Ease
1-800-Injured is an attorney and medical referral service. Instead of taking on the additional responsibility of finding a car accident lawyer to help you with your case, you can remain focused on getting the care you need for your recovery. Simply contact us as soon as possible, and we will connect you with a distracted driving attorney in your area for a free consultation.
During your consultation, you will be able to get into the details of your situation, such as the cause of your crash, the injuries you have sustained, the impacts your accident has had on your life, and more. Once the attorney has a clear understanding of the situation, they will give you legal advice on how to move forward and give you a better sense of the type of support they will be able to prove you with. They will be able to share examples of other cases they have successfully represented that are similar to yours, which can be a great help as you try to look towards the future with confidence.
What Is Distracted Driving?
Understanding what types of activities are considered distracted driving is a great way to understand your accident and the type of case you have. There are three different types of distracted driving, each explained in greater detail below. Whether or not you see the specific distracted behavior that the other driver was engaging in below, simply contact us now and connect with a lawyer as soon as possible. No two accidents are alike, so regardless of the actual cause, you will want to work with a lawyer to go through all of the details and build a clear and comprehensive story as you prepare to take on the insurers.
Manual Distractions
A manual distraction is anything that requires a driver to physically remove their hands from the wheel. Some of the most common manual driving distractions include eating while driving, reaching into the back seat or rummaging around the glove box, applying makeup, or even changing clothes. When a driver’s hands are off of the wheel, they have much less control over their steering and may not be able to avoid a hazard or obstacle.
Cognitive Distractions
Cognitive distractions are those that take a driver’s mind off of the task of driving. Talking on a phone, whether using a hands-free device or not, is mentally distracting and can cause a driver to miss important information about the road they are traveling on, such as brake lights in front of them, traffic cones diverting into a different lane, or a pedestrian who is using a crosswalk. Even daydreaming behind the wheel is considered a cognitive distraction. While these types of distractions are more challenging to prove than something as clear as a driver eating behind the wheel, these are all dangerous and negligent behaviors that put everyone else on the road at risk.
Visual Distractions
Visual distractions are anything that takes a driver’s eyes off the road. This includes looking at a GPS or phone, reading billboards or signs as they pass, or even just admiring the scenery while they should be focused on operating a motor vehicle safely. The on-board controls in a vehicle can also be visually distracting, such as monitoring the temperature control, reading alerts on a dashboard screen, and more.
Combination Distractions
As you can imagine, there are many different examples of distractions that involve two or more types, such as texting while driving. Sending a text message requires the use of at least one hand (manual distraction), thinking about the message the driver is composing (cognitive distraction), and looking at the phone (visual distractions). As the task or behavior requires more types of attention, the risk that the driver has lost all focus on the road ahead increases significantly, as does the risk of an accident.
Getting the Money You Deserve After a Distracted Driving Accident
Simply filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company and waiting for the adjuster to make you an offer is an easy enough process, but not one that will result in you getting fair compensation for your damages. This is because insurance companies are focused on profit, which is achieved by paying out less in claims than they collect in premiums. To do this, adjusters must settle claims for far less than their actual value, and they can leverage the complexity of tort law and the victim’s compromised situation to do so.
When you are working with an attorney, you will be able to stay focused on your recovery, as well as your personal and professional needs. Your experienced lawyer goes through the details of your situation, compiles the damages you’ve suffered, quantifies and calculates their values, and then enters a series of aggressive negotiations to work towards an out-of-court settlement. If they cannot reach a settlement, the next step may be to file a lawsuit and prepare for trial, but again, you will not need to take on the administrative stress of these issues because your attorney is handling it for you.
Contact 1-800-Injured as soon as possible to connect with a lawyer and start fighting for the money you are rightfully entitled to.