Distracted Driving Accidents

If You’ve Been Injured By a Distracted Driver, You May Eligible for Compensation

Distracted driving remains one of the most common causes of car accidents despite our efforts to increase awareness of the risks and the implementation of laws designed to penalize distracted driving. While smartphones are the focus of most of these efforts, the reality is that numerous distractions can lead to an accident. Unfortunately, drivers are often unwilling to admit that they weren’t paying attention to the road, so these cases can be challenging. If you have been injured in a car accident caused by distracted driving, a Waldorf distracted driving accident lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve. 

“I Just Didn’t See You” 

Distracted drivers routinely offer this up as an explanation for how the accident occurred. However, the fact that they didn’t “see” you doesn’t absolve them of their responsibility for the accident. In fact, more often than not, this statement is proof that they were driving while distracted. Whatever explanation they may give, you have rights if you have been injured in a car accident caused by distracted driving. 

What Are the Types of Distractions While Driving?

There are three different ways that drivers can become distracted: 

• Manual distractions that require the driver to remove one or, surprisingly, both hands from the wheel. This can include eating, drinking, or adjusting the radio. It is dangerous because the driver may lose control of the vehicle or may simply need both hands on the wheel to avoid an accident where even a split second can make a difference. 
• Visual distractions that cause the driver to take their eyes off the road, such as looking at the scenery. In this situation, the driver may fail to see upcoming hazards, drift into another lane, or go off the road. 
• Cognitive distractions where the driver simply isn’t paying attention. Daydreaming and having conversations with passengers are common examples of cognitive distractions. 

Depending on what the driver was doing, they may have been distracted in more than one way at any given time. Accidents caused by distracted driving can be very serious, often resulting in severe injuries or even death. Proving that your accident resulted from distracted driving can be difficult, but a Waldorf distracted driving accident lawyer can help you prove your case. 

Why is Driving and Texting Bad? A Waldorf Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer Answers

When you understand the different ways that drivers can become distracted, you can see exactly why using a smartphone and texting while driving can be so dangerous. Texting while driving generally involves all three types of distractions – 

• It is a manual distraction because the driver is typing and manipulating the phone.
• It is a visual distraction because the driver is looking at the phone instead of the road. 
• It is a cognitive distraction because the driver is paying attention to the text conversation rather than traffic. 

Even if the driver isn’t texting, using any app on a smartphone generally involves the very same distractions. Any momentary usage can result in an accident before the driver can react. If you believe distracted driving caused your accident, you should discuss your case with a Waldorf distracted driving accident lawyer as soon as possible. 

What is Driving Negligence?

Driving while distracted is one of the most common examples of negligence that results in car accidents. Every time a driver gets behind the wheel, they have a legal obligation to drive safely. When they fail to do so and cause an accident that results in injury, the injured party has the right to seek compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. 

As a result, it can be helpful to your claim if the other driver received a ticket as a result of the accident. Most people are aware of Maryland’s “hands-free” law and that you can be ticketed for texting while driving. However, drivers can also receive a citation for inattentive driving, even if they weren’t texting and driving. A traffic citation can be powerful evidence in your case because it will help you prove that the other driver was distracted. 

That said, you may still have a case even if the other driver wasn’t ticketed. A Waldorf distracted driving accident lawyer will know how to gather the evidence you need. The other driver’s statements to you, the police, or other witnesses can help you build your case. There may be other forms of circumstantial evidence that can also be used to demonstrate that they were distracted. 

Contact a Waldorf Distracted Driving the Law Offices of Thomas E. Pyles if Your Accident Was Caused by Distracted Driving

Waldorf distracted driving accident lawyer Thomas E. Pyles has over 30 years of experience helping people who have been injured in all types of motor vehicle accidents, including motorcycle and truck accidents. Whatever type of accident you were involved in, if you were injured due to someone else’s distracted driving, he can help you get fair compensation. Contact us today at 301-705-5006 to schedule a free consultation.