What Should You Do After a Distracted Driving Accident?
No matter how safely you drive, sometimes accidents happen. If you’ve been impacted by a distracted driver, what should you do? Here are the first steps.
- Call for help: Contact police and medical help to report the incident and get treatment for any injuries.
- Document the damage: To the best of your ability, take pictures of your vehicle and the other car to show damages. Also try to document evidence that may prove the other driver was distracted, like photographing active electronics, loose food, rowdy passengers, or obstructed views.
- Record your observations: If you notice anything that may be relevant later, include it in the police report, or record a message to yourself that shows the timestamp—such real-time information may matter greatly in a courtroom.
- Contact a car accident attorney: If you need advice on how to protect your rights, if you are injured and cannot gather evidence without help, or if you think you’ve got a legal case, contact a lawyer with car accident experience as soon as possible.
There are statutes of limitations involved in personal injury and auto accident cases, meaning that there is a limited amount of time for you to file a legal action. Contact an experienced car accident injury lawyer from Pierce Skrabanek as soon as possible, and empower us to build a case and meet those deadlines on your behalf.
After a distracted driving accident, an experienced car accident injury attorney from Pierce Skrabanek can gather evidence and protect your rights as you seek medical care.
What Could a Distracted Driving Car Accident Settlement Mean for You?
Due to the high speeds and unforgiving nature of large vehicles, injuries from car accidents can be catastrophic. If your needs after a distracted driving car accident require more than what the insurance companies offered, a lawsuit could help cover:
- The cost of medical bills and recovery therapy
- Lost wages and employment benefits or advancement opportunities
- Pain and suffering damages caused by physical injury and psychological trauma
- Punitive damages that are charged to wrongdoers in accidents and then awarded to you
- Wrongful death expenses like funeral costs and the loss of income and companionship for surviving family members
The law firm of Pierce Skrabanek has proven experience in securing settlements and verdicts for our clients. Call us today at 832-690-7000 to discuss your needs.
Distracted Driving Statistics
The more technology becomes available inside cars, the more distractions drivers experience. The Insurance Information Institute has compiled distracted driving facts that show:
- Roughly 1 in 5 auto accidents in the U.S. are caused by a distracted driver, leading to property damage, injury, and death.
- Between 13-14% of fatal crashes are associated with cell phone usage each year.
- The age group 16-24 is consistently highest with use of handheld cell phones while driving (this age group includes the newest and most inexperienced drivers).
- Drivers are 23 times more likely to crash if they send a text while driving.
- Texting while driving is banned in most states and the District of Columbia (D.C.) in an effort to curb these numbers.
Distracted driving problems aren’t just an issue with teen or new drivers. One moment of distraction while operating a motor vehicle for any driver could mean life-long injuries or death. For those who were injured in car accidents caused by distracted driving, you may need an attorney to access resources beyond what car insurance companies offer.
How To Minimize Distractions While Driving
All motorists are susceptible to distractions while driving. To give yourself and your loved ones (especially teen drivers) the best environment to stay alert on the road, here are some important tips.
- Limit cell phone use: Even if you’re using a smartphone for navigation, utilizing hands-free devices or setting your phone on airplane mode can help reduce distractions.
- Clear your dashboard and window views: Having items on your dashboard can cause reflections in your windshield, and danglers on your rearview mirror or decals in any window can cause distraction.
- Limit passenger interaction: When transporting adults, insist on calm behavior and interactions. When driving with children, providing them with backseat activities can allow you to focus on safe driving.
- Avoid eating when driving: Finishing your breakfast during your morning commute or digging into a fast food bag before arriving home is tempting. However, the distraction and mess that food can cause while you should be aware of traffic could be gravely serious.
- Stop multitasking: What is a great skill in the office or the kitchen is dangerous on the road—multitasking while driving could include personal grooming, catching up on texts, sorting music or podcast entertainment, reviewing your to-do list, or any task other than driving.
Basically, do your best to minimize distractions, and keep your head in the game. Sometimes the best defense is a good offense, and it’s particularly true when it comes to defensive driving. The more alert you are, the more you can proactively respond to other drivers or dangerous elements on the road.
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