Distracted driving is a common cause of accidents and deaths across the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the practice kills and injures thousands of people each year, not to mention the families that are left devastated by the loss of loved ones.
If you or someone you love has been hurt or killed in an accident involving a distracted driver, you have the right to hold the negligent party responsible for their behavior. A LaPlace distracted driving accident lawyer may be able to assist you.
The team at the Morris Bart law firm is here to help. We offer a free, no-risk consultation for victims in car accidents. We also work on a contingency fee basis only, which means we only get paid if we are successful with your case. Contact us today at (800) 537-8185.
Statistics and Facts about Distracted Driving
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes distracted driving as any type of activity that takes your attention away from the road. It can mean taking your eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, or even just your focus off of your driving. It could include activities like:
- Eating or drinking behind the wheel.
- Changing the radio station.
- Talking to passengers in the front or back seat.
- Turning your neck to see something, such as the scenery or a car accident.
- Adjusting climate controls.
- Being lost in thought.
One of the most dangerous activities, and one not listed above, is cell phone use while behind the wheel. Using a phone while driving requires you to:
- Focus on something other than the road (visual distraction).
- Physically engage with your phone and not the steering wheel (manual distraction).
- Distract you from your surroundings (cognitive distraction).
In fact, the CDC points out that engaging with a text message, even for five seconds at 55 miles per hour, means that you have driven 300 feet—the length of a football field.
The consequences of using a cellphone when behind the wheel can be deadly. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving claimed 3,166 lives in 2017, in addition to thousands of other injuries.
For a free legal consultation with a Distracted Driving Accident lawyer serving LaPlace, call 800-537-8185
Types of Injuries that Can Occur in a Distracted Driving Accident
There are a wide variety of injuries that can occur in a car accident. Some of them include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): This injury occurs when you receive a significant blow to your head that interferes with your brain functions.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: When someone’s spinal cord is injured, the brain is unable to properly deliver messages to other parts of the body. After a spinal cord injury, many people will require wheelchairs and other assistive devices to walk.
- Internal Bleeding: Internal bleeding actually is the result of an injury, but can have serious complications all on its own. Severe hemorrhaging can cause external bleeding, seizures, comas, and, eventually, death.
- Broken Bones: Broken bones are common after a distracted driving accident. While they will usually heal properly after medical treatment and rest, in some cases, other complications can occur.
If you have suffered one of these injuries or experienced other losses as a result of a distracted driving accident, you have the right to hold the negligent party responsible for their actions. Contact the Morris Bart law firm today at (800) 537-8185, for a free review of your case.
Laws that May Impact Your Claim
The statute of limitations and comparative negligence are two laws that you should be aware of because these rules can impact your case.
Statute of Limitations
The majority of states allow several years, often between two and five, to file a personal injury claim after a car accident. Louisiana, however, places a time limit of one year on these cases. This means you must file your claim within one year of the date of the accident, or you will be barred from recovering compensation.
Comparative Negligence
Comparative negligence is a law that is designed to allocate damages according to each party’s degree of responsibility after an accident. That means if you are found to be partially at fault for an accident, any compensation that the court awards you will be reduced by the degree to which you are at fault. For example, if you are 10% responsible for causing the accident, the compensation you are given will be reduced by 10%.
Comparative negligence is often used as a defense tactic to reduce a defendant’s degree of liability in a car accident, claiming you are more responsible for the accident than you actually may be. A distracted driving lawyer who is protecting your rights can help defend you against underhanded tactics like these.
Click to contact our LaPlace Car Accident Lawyers today
Damages You May Recover After a Distracted Driving Accident
Every car accident is different, which means we cannot estimate the specific damages that you may be able to recover as a result of your accident. However, we have worked on many cases like these before, and some common types of damages that victims recover include:
- Medical costs
- Pain and suffering
- Past and future wages
- Future pain and suffering
- Disfigurement or dismemberment
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
If your loved one did not survive the accident, your family may be able to recover damages like:
- Pain and suffering
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of consortium
- Wages and benefits previously provided by the deceased
Contact a LaPlace Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one has been hurt or killed because of the negligence of a distracted driver, you have the right to hold them responsible. A LaPlace distracted driving accident lawyer from the team at the Morris Bart law firm can help. We may be able to build a strong case in order to pursue a fair settlement for your claim. If one cannot be reached, we can fight for your rights at court, pursuing compensation to the fullest extent of your injuries. For a free, no-risk review of your case, contact the Morris Bart law firm today at (800) 537-8185.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
