Many drivers are guilty of carelessly taking their eyes off the road due to distractions. These bad habits can cost someone their life. When a driver stops looking at the road for more than two to three seconds, they can more than double their chance of getting into a terrible car wreck. Distracted driving accidents can happen in a number of ways. In general, distracted driving is any activity that diverts a driver’s attention from the road and can include anything that takes a driver’s eyes, hands, or mind off the task of driving. Contact our personal injury law firm Meyers Injury Law for a free consultation with our team of Nashville car accidents lawyers on your distracted driving accident claim.
Here are some examples of distracted driving:
- Texting while driving
- Talking on a cell phone while driving
- Checking or using a navigation system while driving
- Eating or drinking while driving
- Grooming or applying makeup while driving
- Adjusting the radio or other vehicle controls while driving
- Talking with passengers while driving
- Watching videos or browsing the internet on a mobile device while driving
- Reading or writing while driving
- Daydreaming or being lost in thought while driving
Why Is It Important To Pay Attention To The Road?
Even a brief distraction of just a few seconds can result in a serious collision. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), sending or reading a text message while driving takes your eyes off the road for an average of 5 seconds, which is enough time to travel the length of a football field at 55 miles per hour. Keep your eyes on the road and avoid any distractions while driving to reduce the risk of a car accident.
What You Can Do To Avoid Getting Into An Accident By Distracted Driving
There are several steps you can take to prevent a distracted driving accident from happening. Here are some tips:
Put Your Phone Away
To avoid the temptation of using your phone while driving, put it in a place where you cannot reach it while driving. You can also use apps or settings that prevent you from using your phone while driving.
Plan Ahead
Plan your route and any other details before you start driving, so you do not have to use a navigation system or make any other adjustments while driving.
Avoid Multitasking
Avoid doing any other tasks that can take your attention away from driving, such as eating, drinking, or grooming.
Stay Focused
Stay focused on the road and keep your eyes on the road ahead of you. Avoid looking at anything that might distract you, such as billboards or other accidents on the road.
Pull Over If Necessary
If you need to make a call, send a text, or do anything that might distract you from driving, pull over to a safe location before doing so.
Educate Others
Share information with your friends, family, and coworkers about the dangers of distracted driving, and encourage them to avoid any distractions while driving.
Damages I Can Claim In A Distracted Driving Accident
If you have been involved in a distracted driving accident, there are several types of damages that you may be able to claim. Here are some common damages that may be available:
Property Damage
When in a car accident, your vehicle or any other property was damaged in the accident, you may be able to claim the cost of repairing or replacing it.
Medical Expenses
If you sustained any injuries in the accident, you may be able to claim the cost of medical treatment, including hospitalization, surgery, medication, and rehabilitation.
Lost Wages
Whenever your injuries prevent you from working, you may be able to claim the income you lost as a result of the accident.
Pain And Suffering
If you experienced physical or emotional pain and suffering as a result of the accident, you may be able to claim compensation for these damages.
Loss Of Consortium
When the accident caused a loss of companionship or intimacy with your spouse or partner, you may be able to claim compensation for this loss.
Punitive Damages
In some cases, you may be able to claim punitive damages if the other driver’s behavior was particularly egregious or reckless.
How My Attorney Can Prove That The Other Driver Was Distracted And Caused My Injuries
A distracted driver attorney can use a variety of methods to prove that the other party is at fault in a car accident. Here are some examples:
Police Reports
The police report from the accident scene can be a valuable piece of evidence in determining fault. The report may include information about the circumstances of the accident and any citations that were issued to the parties involved.
Eyewitness Testimony
Witnesses to the accident can provide valuable testimony about what happened and who was at fault.
Video Footage
If there is video footage of the accident, such as from a traffic camera or dashcam, this can be used as evidence to determine fault. Be sure to share this with your personal injury attorney in Nashville.
Phone Records
When the other driver was using their phone at the time of the accident, their phone records may be subpoenaed to show that they were distracted at the time of the accident.
Expert Testimony
An accident reconstruction expert can provide testimony about the cause of the accident and who was at fault based on their analysis of the evidence.
Attorneys have the ability to prove that you are not at fault by using evidence. They work hard to give you fair representation. A distracted driver attorney can file a subpoena to obtain evidence from the other driver or other parties involved in the accident. This can include phone records, medical records, and other documents that can help prove fault. Learn more by speaking with our dedicated Nashville personal injury law firm. You only pay when we win your case. Call Meyers Injury Law now for a free consultation.
