Philadelphia Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer Near You
Distracted driving (including texting and driving) is one of the leading causes of motor vehicle and car accidents, and may even contribute to a significant amount of Philadelphia hit & run accidents. There are three forms of distracted driving: visual, manual, and cognitive distraction. Visual distraction involves taking one’s eyes off the road for some reason. Manual distraction involves removing one or both hands from the steering wheel to perform non-driving tasks. This includes talking or texting on a cell phone or adjusting a radio. Finally, cognitive distraction involves taking one’s mind and focus off of the immediate task of driving and thinking about something else, such as planning for the rest of the day.
All three forms of distracted driving are dangerous and pose serious threats to other drivers on the road. Every day throughout the United States, more than 9 people are killed and more than 1,100 are injured in car crashes involving distracted driving. If you are involved in an accident with a distracted driver, it’s important to contact a Philadelphia distracted driving accident lawyer nearby you to discuss your possible case.
What Are Common Causes of Distracted Driving Accidents?
Common examples of distracted driving include:
- Talking or texting on a cell phone;
- Eating or drinking;
- Using a GPS/navigation system or radio;
- Talking with and looking at other passengers in the car;
- Grooming; and
- Watching a video.
Distracted driving is one of the most dangerous and preventable types of car accidents. According to the NHTSA, distracted driving claimed 3,142 lives in 2019 alone.
Philadelphia Texting While Driving Accident Attorney Near You
If you need a clear picture of the dangers of texting and driving, imagine a driver at the wheel blindfolded. It seems outrageous but in fact, every time someone is distracted by a screen, they have no idea what’s going on in the lanes in front of them. So each glance (or longer) at a cellphone is almost the same as driving blind for however long it takes to read or send a text message. You or a loved one could be in the vehicle next to them or in front of them when they make a terrible mistake.
Accidents caused by texting and distracted drivers prove deadly every year on Philadelphia streets and highways. These careless drivers can veer right into the car next to them or even into oncoming traffic and create potentially deadly situations.
If you are in an accident involving a texting driver or distracted driver using their cellphone for anything else, The Pearce Law Firm Personal Injury and Accident Lawyers P.C. near you, can help protect your rights as a victim. We are a firm of experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyers. We can help you build a strong case that proves the at-fault driver chose to take a hazardous risk and endanger your life. Your injuries may be severe and require a long recovery, but we will be with you every step of the way to ensure those responsible for your suffering cover every cost as you rebuild your life. Contact us one of our distracted driving accident lawyers for an accident injury evaluation of your case at no charge to you and let us help you determine your next move.
Texting and Driving Dangers Around Philadelphia
If you travel busy thoroughfares like Hunting Park Avenue or Broad Street it won’t take you long to spot the distracted drivers who may be reading those lighted screens and paying little attention to the road. You can often steer clear or get around them, but other times those careless drivers can prove to be unavoidable obstacles.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) cites studies that show that texting takes a driver’s eyes off the road longer than any other distraction. By their numbers, 2019 was a dangerous year for Pennsylvania motorists. Statewide, there were 13,729 accidents caused by distracted drivers. Tragically, 56 people lost their lives in those accidents. These reported numbers are likely far off from the true cost of texting and distracted drivers. Officers can’t always tell when cellphone use was responsible for an accident and drivers generally won’t admit to cellphone use.
These accidents will likely only increase while the penalties for breaking Pennsylvania’s texting ban remain so light. The current punishment for drivers distracted by texting is a summary offense with a $50 fine, plus court costs and other fees. The violation carries no points as a penalty and isn’t recorded on the driver record for non-commercial drivers.
Seeking Compensation After an Accident with a Texting Driver
The insurance company is not interested in paying you for all of your losses, injuries, and pain. The attorneys representing the insurance company have only one mandate; pay you as little as possible for your accident injuries. In a legal setting, putting together detailed information to present your case in the most positive light, helps us to hold them to their legal responsibility to provide adequate compensation for your losses. They know that if they do not offer an adequate settlement, we are not afraid to take your case to trial and present your case to a jury.
After a settlement offer or a trial verdict, you can expect compensation for many of your hardships, and for additional things you may not have thought of.
These are just a few of the damages you can recover:
- Hospital bills: The bills you have already collected and any expenses you’re expected to have for surgeries and rehabilitation in the years to come.
- Missed Paychecks: Your injury may have left you unable to attend work for weeks or months. Training for a change in career may even be a factor.
- Permanent disability or disfigurement: Money for training and education to adapt to a new lifestyle and any medical devices needed.
- Psychological anguish: Depression and anxiety can create serious issues for the victim after the trauma of living through a devastating crash. Your enjoyment of life may be greatly diminished for a time.
- Travel costs: All of those trips to see doctors for second opinions and for physical therapy appointments can add up. You might even have to travel to another city for your care.
Contact a Philadelphia Texting And Driving Accident Lawyer
In Pennsylvania, accident victims have up to two years to file a claim over their injuries. It’s important to use that time wisely, but also make sure you file your claim as soon as you are ready. In the days after a crash, your attorney can investigate the scene of the accident to gather important evidence that proves your side of the case. Your attorney will also be collecting documents like accident reports and your earnings and paystub information as soon as they become available. A subpoena for the driver’s cell phone records and a chat with witnesses about what they saw will also be key to your case.
If an attorney with The Pearce Law Firm Personal Injury and Accident Lawyers P.C. of Philadelphia represents your case you will also be protected from insurance companies looking to subtract from your fair compensation rather than adding to it. Using our understanding of the insurance industry, The Pearce Law Firm Personal Injury and Accident Lawyers P.C. can keep you from falling prey to their strategies. Your distracted driving accident attorney can spot low ball offers and make sure you don’t settle for less than what you’ll need to recover physically and financially.
Contact us as soon after a distracted driving accident involving a texting driver as possible. Our nearby Philadelphia car accident lawyers will listen to what happened and offer you a free, no-obligation appraisal of your best options. If you select us to represent you we will go to work immediately to build a strong case that the at-fault driver’s insurance company can’t dismiss.
What Groups Are Most Likely to Engage in Distracted Driving Accidents?
In order to protect yourself from other distracted drivers, it is important to understand what groups are most likely to engage in distracted driving. While distracted driving occurs across all ages and socioeconomic groups, certain people are more likely to engage in distracted driving than others. For example, younger, inexperienced drivers under the age of 20 have the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes. What’s more, among high school students, texting while driving is more likely to occur with drinking or with other passengers in the car.
Have You Been Injured by a Distracted Driver? Contact the Nearby Distracted Driver Attorneys at The Pearce Law Firm
If you or someone you know has been injured by a distracted driver, the first step is to contact a car accident lawyer in Philadelphia who can help you understand your rights. At The Pearce Law Firm, our Philadelphia distracted driving accident attorneys close to you will investigate your case to determine whether you have a legal claim against another driver or drivers. In addition to car accidents, our Philadelphia accident attorneys have experience in a variety of motor vehicle accidents, including trucks, motorcycles, and buses. Contact The Pearce Law Firm for a free initial consultation and case evaluation.
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