How Can Distracted Driving Affect Your Car Accident Claim?

 Posted on August 08, 2024 in Car Accidents

Did you know that around 94 percent of all car accidents result from human error? Driver distraction is a top cause of these errors, causing many injuries and fatalities every day. There are many forms of distraction, and each can, in certain circumstances, qualify you to obtain compensation after a distracted driving crash. However, you need evidence to support your claim.

A car accident lawyer from Jerry D. Andrews, P.C. can investigate your accident and gather the supporting evidence necessary to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.

What Is Distracted Driving?

Driving safely requires eyes on the road, hands on the steering wheel, and mental focus on the act of driving. There are four main categories of distractions:

• Visual: Takes the driver’s eyes away from the road

• Auditory: Decreases the driver’s ability to hear traffic sounds and take their mental focus away from driving

• Manual: Takes one or both of the driver’s hands away from the wheel

• Cognitive: Takes the driver’s thoughts away from driving

Any distraction can delay the driver’s reaction time, which increases the chances of causing an accident. Cars cannot change direction or stop until after the driver recognizes a danger, decides what action to take, initiates that action, and allows the car enough time to carry out the instructions.

Common distractions include:

• Hands-on use of cell phones and other electronic devices

• Changing system settings

• Searching and reaching for loose objects in the vehicle

• Using earbuds

• Eating, drinking, and smoking

• Daydreaming

• Interacting with passengers or pets

Around 41 percent of collisions happen due to driver recognition errors, which can be caused by distractions. If drivers fail to recognize a danger in time, they may not be able to avoid causing a collision.

Why Is Distracted Driving Important to Your Car Accident Claim?

All drivers have a legal duty to take reasonable precautions to avoid harming others. When they fail in this duty and cause a crash, they may be considered negligent. Negligence is the key to most personal injury claims, so another person’s distracted driving may give you the grounds you need to receive compensation for the injuries and other losses they cause.

When you have evidence proving that a driver was distracted at the time of your accident, you can likely obtain compensation. Other factors, such as Texas state laws and your own potential fault, apply when determining your eligibility. Your distracted driving accident lawyer from Jerry D. Andrews, P.C. can assess your case and help you determine the next steps.

Schedule Your Free Consultation With Our Experienced Dallas, TX Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer

When results matter, you need an experienced attorney to handle your case. Look no further than Jerry D. Andrews, P.C. We have a proven track record of effectively representing injured accident victims. Attorney Andrews is a Board-Certified personal injury trial lawyer with over 25 years of experience handling claims successfully.

Call us at 214-221-5800 to speak with a Dallas County, TX distracted driving attorney today. We offer free consultations, and you will pay no fees unless we collect damages for you. Se Habla Espanol.