When Someone’s Distracted Driving Causes Injury
In today’s world, drivers are often managing a wide range of distractions. These distractions include everything from entering directions in a GPS app, to text messages, phone calls, eating or even dealing with passengers. Every single distraction takes a driver’s eyes and attention off the road. In that short amount of time, a distracted driver can cause a devastating accident and serious injuries.
If you or a loved one was injured in a distracted driving accident caused by an inattentive driver, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and the damage incurred in the accident. At Polinsky Law Group, our Hartford injury attorneys believe that a good result is no accident. We vigorously protect our clients’ best interests when securing settlements or trial verdicts.
Handling Cases Involving All Types Of Distractions
Drivers are responsible for operating their vehicles safely. This is not possible when concentration is broken by a distraction like a phone call or text message. Even one second of distracted driving can lead to dire consequences. At our firm, we help clients injured in accidents caused by all types of distractions, including:
- Cellphone use and text messages
- Emails and reading
- Putting on makeup or shaving
- Eating behind the wheel
- Changing music or GPS settings
- Turning to talk to passengers
When another driver’s negligence causes your injuries, you can hold them responsible for medical costs, lost wages and other damages resulting from the car accident. We can help you secure compensation through a personal injury claim.
Accidents Caused By Texting And Cellphone Use
As our society becomes more and more mobile, the ways we communicate are changing. Cellphones easily outnumber home phones. As cellphone usage and texting rates have increased, so have car accidents caused by distracted drivers.
Cellphone and texting-while-driving accidents occur in the blink of an eye, even causing serious injuries or the premature death of those involved. Perhaps the most unfortunate part of these devastating car accidents is the fact that they are entirely preventable.
If you or someone you love was injured in a distracted driving accident, our personal injury attorneys will thoroughly investigate the cause of your accident. If the other driver was using a cellphone, it may be possible to subpoena cellphone records and collect witness statements to show that the driver was distracted. We will leverage every resource to help you secure the compensation you need to cover medical costs, lost income and damages for your pain and suffering.
Commonly Asked Questions About Distracted Driving Accidents
Our Hartford accident injury attorneys understand that distracted driving accidents can be as confusing as they are devastating. Here, we provide answers to some of the questions our attorneys are often asked. If you have questions about your specific case, we offer a free initial consultation.
How do you prove a driver was distracted?
To prove a distracted driving case, we need to gather evidence demonstrating their inattention. This can include witness statements, police reports and traffic camera footage. Additionally, examining the driver’s phone records can reveal if they were texting or calling at the time of the accident.
What should I do if I am involved in an accident caused by a distracted driver?
If you were in an accident caused by a distracted driver, there are several immediate steps you can take to preserve your possible claim and evidence. However, your first priority must be your safety and well-being.
- Call as soon as possible to report the accident
- Exchange information with the other driver
- Gather evidence from the scene such as photos or videos of vehicles, injuries and road conditions
- Collect contact information from any potential witnesses
- Call your insurance company to report the accident
- Get medical attention to determine your injuries and obtain medical evidence for your claim
Consider consulting with an experienced personal injury attorney to discuss your options for pursuing compensation. This is essential if your accident injuries are severe or threaten long-term disability.
How is fault determined in distracted driving accidents?
Fault is determined by assessing evidence from the distracted driving accident scene and analyzing the actions of the involved drivers. Police reports, witness statements and traffic camera footage are crucial in establishing fault.
The involved insurers and legal representatives will review this evidence to identify fault. In Connecticut, the comparative negligence rule applies, meaning that if found responsible, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault. Determining fault is where the evidence you gathered can make the biggest difference.
