Driving without full attention on the road puts both the driver and others at significant risk of a collision. Distracted driving, like using a phone behind the wheel, is not only reckless but can lead to severe and life-threatening accidents.
If you’ve been involved in a serious car accident caused by a distracted driver, compassionate and skilled legal representation is essential to securing the compensation you deserve. At Blackwell Law Firm, our team of experienced Athens car accident attorneys is committed to standing by your side and fighting for justice. When you need someone in your corner, we’ll be there.
Common Causes of Distracted Driving
Texting and driving is one of the most common causes of distracted driving. However, there’s more than one way a driver can lose focus while behind the wheel.
Visual distractions are anything that takes a driver’s eyes off the road in front of them. This can include reading billboards, looking at the scenery, and turning to talk to a passenger in the car.
Manual distractions take a driver’s hands off the wheel as they drive. This can look like changing the music, reaching for a dropped phone, or eating a hamburger while driving.
Lastly, cognitive distractions take a driver’s mind off the task of driving. They could be thinking about what to make for dinner that night, worried about an upcoming work project, or zoning out while behind the wheel.
Alabama Laws Regarding Distracted Driving
According to the Alabama code, Ala. Code § 32-5A-350, drivers are prohibited from sending texts with a wireless telecommunication device. Specifically, drivers cannot read, send, or type any message behind the wheel, and this includes texts as well as emails. The only exceptions include contacting the police and using GPS services with coordinates typed in beforehand. Drivers can also pull over to send a text message.
If a driver is caught using their phone while driving, local law enforcement can issue a citation for violating Alabama’s traffic laws.
How Does Distracted Driving Cause Accidents?
When a driver doesn’t have their complete attention and focus on the road in front of them, it can have a serious impact on their reaction time and ability to respond in time to certain situations.
Sending one text message takes a person’s eyes off the road for 5 seconds. Traveling at 55 miles per hour, that’s the equivalent of traveling the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.
How Blackwell Law Firm Can Help
After a car accident involving a distracted driver, you want a dependable legal team in your corner. Our personal injury attorneys know the courtroom like the back of our hand, and we’ll use our evolving expertise to handle insurance negotiations. When you work with us, we’ll handle all the dirty work so you get the maximum compensation you deserve.
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What To Do Immediately After A Distracted Driving Car Accident
If you find yourself in a car accident involving distracted driving, take a breath. Panicking in this situation won’t help, and knowing the proper steps can help keep yourself and others safe in the aftermath. Here are some simple steps you can take after an accident to protect yourself while gathering what you need to build your personal injury claim.
1) Move Your Vehicle To Safety
Immediately after an accident, pull over into the shoulder or a nearby parking lot so you’re in a safe area and away from traffic.
2) Call Emergency Personnel
Get in touch with local emergency services, and they’ll send out medical providers as well as any other personnel you need.
3) Call The Police
Contact local authorities to report the accident. They’ll send an officer to your location to file a formal report.
4) Do Not Apologize
Be careful with what you say. Don’t apologize for the accident or say anything that could be taken as an acceptance of fault. Stick to the facts of what happened and where.
5) Gather Information From Involved Parties
Get the contact information and insurance policies from all parties involved in the accident.
6) Take Detailed Notes About The Accident
Collect as much detailed evidence as you can about the accident. This includes photos of your car, the surrounding area, and any other pieces of evidence you think you may need. The more, the better.
7) Speak With Witnesses
If any eyewitnesses saw what happened, get a written or recorded statement of what they saw. This can be used to prove the other driver was distracted at the time of the accident.
8) Call Your Insurance Company
Once you have all your evidence, get in touch with your insurance company to file a claim. They’ll work with you to make sure your paperwork is in order.
9) Call A Distracted Driving Accident Attorney
Once the dust settles and you’re not in any immediate danger, contact a personal injury attorney who has experience working with distracted driving car accidents. Our attorneys at Blackwell Law Firm will help you build a strong case that earns you the compensation you’re rightly owed.
How Attorneys Establish Distracted Driving Evidence
Part of your personal injury claim will include proving that the other driver was distracted at the time of the accident. Our attorneys at Blackwell Law Firm can look at cellphone records to prove the driver was using their phone at the time of the incident. In addition, we can also use eyewitnesses who saw the driver operating the vehicle while distracted.
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What Compensation Can You Receive After A Distracted Driving Accident?
Financial compensation after a distracted driving accident is broken into two categories: economic damages and non-economic damages. Economic damages have exact dollar values that you lose or spend because of the accident. In comparison, non-economic damages are damages caused by the accident that don’t have a clear monetary value.
- Economic Damages:
- Lost Income
- Medical Bills
- Long-Term Medical Care
- Short-Term Disability
- Long-Term Disability
- Property Damage
- Non-Economic Damages:
- Pain and Suffering
- Loss of Companionship
- Permanent Disfigurement
- Loss of Quality of Life
Contact Our Athens Car Accident Lawyers For Help After A Distracted Driving Accident
Timely legal help after a car accident ensures solid evidence to build a strong case. When you need a local distracted driving law firm in Alabama, Blackwell Law Firm is ready to join the fight. Our team has extensive experience handling car accident cases, and we’ll make sure you get the justice you deserve.
We’ll guide you through the legal process of filing your claim and negotiating with insurance so you secure your rightful compensation. From distracted driving accidents to drunk drivers, we’re here to help.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys. You don’t have to go through this alone, and we’ll help you every step of the way.
(256) 261-1315