A Guide to Finding a Reliable Distracted Driving Car Accident Lawyer

Distracted driving is a serious problem in the United States, leading to thousands of car accidents every year. If you or someone you know has been injured by a distracted driver, then it’s important to seek legal representation. A qualified distracted driving car accident lawyer can help ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive fair compensation for your injuries and losses.

But how do you find a reliable lawyer? This guide will provide an overview of what to look for when seeking out attorneys who specialize in distracted driving cases. From understanding their experience with similar cases to considering availability and fees, this article will provide all the information needed to make an informed decision about finding the right distracted driving car accident lawyer for your case.

What is Distracted Driving?

Distracted driving is any activity that takes a driver's attention away from the road, such as talking on a cell phone, text messaging, eating or drinking, adjusting the car audio system, fiddling with navigation systems, personal grooming, and interacting with passengers. This can lead to motorists being unable to react quickly to hazards on the road and increases the risk of crashing.

While all distractions can be dangerous while driving, texting while driving can be especially deadly due to its combination of visual, manual, and cognitive distractions.

Distracted driving is responsible for a growing number of fatalities each year in the U.S., claiming over 3,142 lives in 2020 alone according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Studies have found that drivers who text are up to 23 times more involved in an accident than non-distracted drivers.

Other studies have shown that even hands-free devices do not significantly reduce crash risk as they still require some degree of cognitive attention from the driver and divert their focus away from the task of driving.

Moreover, distracted driving is illegal in many states across the U.S., with different laws for different activities such as using handheld cellphone devices versus hands-free devices or banning all cell phone use altogether.

Penalties may include fines and suspension of licenses depending on state law and repeat offenses can result in stiffer punishments such as community service or jail time.

What are Common Distracted Driving Accidents?

The most common distracted driving accidents include:

1. Rear-End Collision

Rear-end collisions are some of the most common types of distracted driving accidents and occur when a driver fails to pay attention and doesn’t brake in time to avoid hitting the car in front of them. This type of accident is especially dangerous if the vehicle behind was traveling at a high speed, as it often results in serious injuries for both drivers.

Distractions such as texting, changing radio stations, or even daydreaming can all be contributing factors to rear-end collisions, so it’s vital that drivers pay attention and stay focused on the road ahead.

2. Head-On Collision

Head-on collisions happen when two vehicles traveling in opposite directions collide with each other, usually due to one driver swerving into oncoming traffic while distracted by their phone or another device. These accidents tend to be some of the most devastating, as they typically result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities for all involved parties.

Although head-on collisions can't always be prevented due to inclement weather or road conditions, drivers should still make sure they remain vigilant and attentive while behind the wheel at all times.

3. Intersection Accidents

Intersection accidents are another type of common distracted driving accident caused by drivers who fail to obey traffic signals and signs when entering an intersection.

These drivers may run a red light because they were not paying attention or did not see the signal change from green to red due to distractions like talking on their phones or checking social media notifications while driving through the intersection.

Drivers should always remain aware of their surroundings when approaching any intersection regardless if there is a traffic signal or not.

4. Side Impact Collisions

These collisions happen when one vehicle hits the side of another vehicle from either side at an angle and often involve only two vehicles instead of multiple cars like other types of distracted driving accidents do.

When this happens, it can cause severe damage due to the force created from one vehicle violently impacting another at an angle rather than broadside like a traditional head-on collision would have done otherwise.

To prevent these kinds of distracted driving car accidents from occurring, drivers should regularly check their blind spots before changing lanes and make sure they maintain their focus on the road ahead no matter what sort of distraction arises within their vehicle.

5. Rollover Accidents

Rollover accidents are caused by drivers who become distracted while operating large vehicles like SUVs and trucks which have higher centers of gravity than regular passenger cars do. Thus making them more susceptible to tipping over onto their sides during sudden movements such as lane changes or evasive maneuvers while being affected by distractions such as cell phone usage or other devices inside the car/truck cabin space.

What are Common Injuries Caused Due to Distracted Driving?

The most common injuries caused by distracted driving include:

• Traumatic Brain Injury: The result of a sudden and violent blow to the head, TBI can lead to long-term health issues such as memory loss, seizures, difficulty concentrating, and more.
• Spinal Cord Injury: These injuries involve damage to the spinal cord that can cause paralysis and other life-altering disabilities.
• Neck Injury: Commonly referred to as whiplash, a neck injury can result in pain, stiffness, and headaches.
• Broken Bones: A broken bone is one of the most common injuries sustained by those who are involved in distracted driving accidents.
• Burns: Burns caused due to impacting the steering wheel or airbag deployment can cause serious and lasting damage.
• Cuts and Bruises: Cuts and bruises can be sustained due to metal shards or other objects flying in the vehicle during a crash.

No matter what injury you sustain, it is important to seek medical attention immediately following an accident caused by distracted driving.

How to Find the Best Legal Representation for Your Distracted Driving Claim

If you or someone you know has been injured in a distracted driving accident, it is important to seek legal guidance as soon as possible.

Step One: Research

The best way to find legal representation for your distracted driving claim is to research potential law firms. Look for firms with distracted driver attorneys who specialize in distracted driving cases and have a history of success.

Consider their educational background and credentials, such as membership in the American Association for Justice and state bar associations, to make sure they are qualified to handle your case.

Ask if they’ve handled similar cases in the past and read client reviews for more insight into their services. Take your time when conducting research so you can make an informed decision about which firm or attorney is best suited for your needs.

Step Two: Interviews

After researching potential firms, it’s important to schedule interviews with them so you can get a better sense of their services and how they would handle your case. Ask questions about their experience, what strategies they plan on using, and how much it will cost you.

Make sure that you feel comfortable communicating with the distracted driving car accident lawyer and that they explain everything clearly so there are no misunderstandings.

Also, consider the lawyer’s attitude towards the case—are they passionate about helping you or simply looking to make money? Don’t be afraid to ask follow-up questions until you are satisfied with their answers.

Step Three: Selection Process

Once you have finished interviewing potential law firms or attorneys, it’s time to decide who will represent you in court. Carefully review all of the information from your interviews and research, compare each lawyer’s qualifications and fees, and select the one who you believe is most qualified for your case—even if it means paying more than expected costs.

Make sure that both parties sign a contract that outlines all terms of payment, expectations from each side, confidentiality agreements, etc., so everyone is on the same page before proceeding any further.

Conclusion

Finding legal representation for a distracted driving claim can be complicated and time-consuming. By conducting research, scheduling interviews, and carefully selecting the best distracted driving car accident lawyer or firm for your case, you will be able to ensure that you get the justice that you deserve. With the right legal guidance, you might even end up with a better outcome than expected!

At The Injury Firm, we understand how difficult it can be to find reliable legal representation for your distracted driving lawsuit for a distracted driving claim. Our experienced team of attorneys is backed by years of success and ready to fight for your rights in court. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation!

We will help you navigate the complicated process and seek justice on your behalf. Let us handle all the legal proceedings while you focus on recovering from your injuries and getting back to your life.