Recover From an Accident with a Distracted Driver
Dedicated Car Accident Lawyers Serving North & South Carolina
More than one in five car accidents in South and North Carolina are caused by a distracted driver, according to the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles. Distracted driving refers to a driver diverting their attention from the task of driving to focus on some other activity. Over the last decade, many incidents of distracted driving have involved cell phone use and/or texting while driving, especially among young drivers.
If you have been injured by a distracted driver, contact our North Carolina car accident attorneys at (800) 351-3008.
Dangers of Distracted Driving
The danger of distracted driving can hardly be overstated. In just the 5 seconds it takes to compose and send or to read a text, a car going 55 mph covers 100 yards – while the driver’s eyes and mind are diverted. Distracted driving led to more than 52,000 car accidents in North Carolina in 2015, 161 of which were fatalities, according to the N.C. DMV. Other driver distractions led to thousands more accidents across our state.
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a North Carolina car accident that may have been caused by distracted driving, The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor can investigate and advocate for you and your rights. You may be eligible for compensation to pay for your medical expenses, damage to your vehicle, lost income, pain, and more.
The Recklessness of Driving While Distracted
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) views distracted driving as an activity that diverts focus from the task of driving. This includes:
- Texting
- Using a cell phone or smartphone
- Eating and drinking
- Grooming
- Talking to passengers
- Reading, including maps
- Dealing with pets
- Using a GPS navigation system
- Watching a video
- Adjusting a radio, CD player, or MP3 player.
The DMV notes that drivers must admit to police that they were distracted in order for it to be recorded. Therefore, the data may not reflect the severity of this issue. In 2015, 21 percent of the crashes in North Carolina involved a driver that was distracted.
Aside from an involuntary response to an external distraction, engaging in distracted driving is generally a choice. Because a distracted driver does not recognize an impending collision, the driver often does not brake to avoid the crash. This leads to full-speed collisions and catastrophic injury.
Injuries from distracted driving can include:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Neck or spinal cord injury, including paralysis
- Internal organ damage
- Broken bones
- Severe lacerations
- Loss of limbs.
Legal Action After a Distracted Driving Accident
Texting while driving is illegal in North Carolina. Drivers under the age of 18 are prohibited from using cell phones to talk or text while behind the wheel. When these negligent forms of distracted driving lead to a car accident, the driver at fault may be held civilly liable to those who have been injured or to the survivors of anyone killed.
The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor help injured car accident victims recover compensation for their losses in distracted driving accidents. Our Hickory, Charlotte, and Columbia attorneys investigate accidents and pursue claims on behalf of our clients when the evidence demonstrates the negligence or fault of the other driver or other parties involved in the accident.
As the N.C. DMV notes, distracted driving can be difficult to prove, but there is often evidence available to support a claim. In addition to the tell-tale characteristic of a distracted driving crash found by examining the accident scene, we may be able to obtain and use such evidence as:
- Information from the car’s “black box” event data recorder (EDR), which shows speed, changes in speed, braking, trajectory, etc.
- Cell phone data showing a text or other activity at the moment of the crash.
- Debit or credit card receipts, which may indicate recent purchase of takeout food or drink (i.e., eating in the vehicle).
- Incriminating witness statements or social media posts.
- Security or red-light camera footage, which may depict the driver just prior to a collision.
With crash evidence and records of your medical expenses and other costs and losses, we can press insurers involved in your case to do what is right and compensate you for the harm you have suffered. If they resist, we will be ready to go to court.
Contact our Distracted Driving Accident Lawyers
If you have been injured in a car accident caused by a distracted driver, The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor can help you hold the at-fault driver accountable for their recklessness. We investigate accidents and document the injuries, losses, pain and suffering our clients have endured. Our cases are built to help clients recover the maximum compensation available.
Contact the North Carolina personal injury attorneys at our firm to set up a free legal consultation about your case. North Carolina imposes a statute of limitations on filing personal injury and wrongful death cases. Please contact us as soon as possible to get work started on your potential claim.
Start pursuing your case today by calling (800) 351-3008.
