Imagine you’re driving down the road with your eyes forward and hands on the 10 and 2 o’clock positions. A driving instructor would give you perfect marks and feel safe taking a nap in the passenger seat.
BAM! All of a sudden, the car in the adjacent lane sideswipes your vehicle. You didn’t even have enough time to process the event, tumbling into the emergency lane. Unfortunately, auto accidents like this are quite common where you can do everything right and still suffer from another person’s negligence.
Distracted driving is one of the nation’s leading causes of car crashes. According to the US Department of Transportation, distracted drivers account for 25-50% of all accidents on Arizona roads. These incidents can cause minor inconveniences, such as a fender bender, or significant pain and suffering from emotional trauma and wrongful death.
You may not understand how to pursue a distracted driving accident or collect case facts to prove your innocence in court. And it isn’t fair for your family to struggle financially and experience penalties from someone else’s poor decisions. We believe hiring a car accident attorney to pursue compensation is in your best interest.
What is Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving is performing any activity while driving that takes your eyes off the road. The most common forms of distracted driving in the 21st century are texting while driving, reading a text message, talking on a cell phone, eating or drinking, and fiddling with the radio.
Anything that diverts a driver’s attention from operating their vehicle is considered distracted driving and can cause significant consequences to victims like you. Insurance companies understand this yet still find loopholes to payout the least amount possible.
Arizona passed new distracted driving legislation to prevent these types of activities on the road. They’ve enforced steep fines and citations for operating a handheld device while driving.
However, these events still occur at alarming rates, and you may need a car accident lawyer to assist your case.
How Can I Prove Distracted Driving?
If you are a car crash victim, it is essential to collect as much information as possible at the scene. An insurance adjuster will ask for these when calculating your damages and assessing your injury claims. The earlier you gain definitive proof of the driver’s negligence, the better.
For instance, you can build a stronger argument for compensation if you present the judge with a written police report. It must mention distracted driving as the cause of the accident and have information about the type of negligence, such as texting or calling.
The distracted driver is not off the hook in court if they refuse to admit to being distracted. An experienced car accident lawyer will know several steps you can take to prove their guilt. They will work with you to execute a strategic approach in your car accident claim and fight for you with fierce loyalty.
For instance, cell phone records may indicate use, social media might record time stamps, or roadside video surveillance could have caught a glimpse of the distracted driver. You can also review the defendant’s dashcam or dashboard technology to indicate how fast the car was going, whether it was swerving, etc.
What May Be Covered in a Distracted Driving Accident Settlement?
You and your family deserve compensation if you’ve suffered a distracted driving crash, and you can prove how the driver ignored your duties of care. The types of compensation depend on the extent of damage and severity of the accident.
Some possible categories of typical accidents include medical costs, lost wages, and property damage. A judge may also entitle you to pain and suffering compensation and perhaps punitive damages intended to punish the driver in extreme cases.
How to Find a Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer
No ordinary lawyer will do when it comes to distracted driving cases, especially if serious personal injury and wrongful death are involved. Bobbi Berry has over 25 years of litigation experience and understands how to strategize arguments in court.
Our law firm offers a free consultation so we can hear your unique circumstances and offer a personal touch to your claim moving forward. We’re confident in our expertise and ability to win your car crash settlement.
If you are the victim of a distracted driving accident, you deserve compensation, and we can help with an initial consultation. Call to schedule a consultation today at (520).638.6496.