St. Lucie Distracted Driving Lawyer
At any given moment, only a few people in the US are without their phones nearby, and regrettably, this trend persists when numerous motorists operate a car. According to the Crash Facts published by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there were more than 150,000 total crashes linked to distracted driving in 2018. More than 34,000 victims suffered injuries and 34 people lost their lives in these incidents, which were entirely preventable had the responsible motorist simply focused on the road. Our attorneys at Sholtes Law, PLLC know that your life can be turned around by a distracted driving accident. This is why we’re dedicated to delivering exceptional legal services to victims throughout the claims process. Please contact our office right away to learn how we can help with your case. We can set up a free consultation with a St. Lucie distracted driving lawyer who will provide the details, but an overview of the relevant laws may be useful.
How Distracted Driving Claims Work
Most car accidents are based upon the legal concept of negligence, and distracted driving crashes are no different. In general, you must prove that the other motorist breached the legal duty to drive safely, and this misconduct was the direct cause of the collision. Drivers have a responsibility to operate their vehicles with full attention to the road and surrounding traffic conditions. When a motorist allows distractions to interfere with that duty, they may be held legally responsible for the harm they cause. A St. Lucie distracted driving lawyer can help investigate the circumstances of the crash and determine whether the driver’s actions meet the legal definition of negligence.
The key in a distracted driving accident is understanding how the non-driving activity interferes with the motorist’s manual, visual, and cognitive capabilities. Manual distractions involve taking hands off the wheel, visual distractions involve taking eyes off the road, and cognitive distractions involve taking the mind off the task of driving. Many forms of distracted driving involve all three at once, which significantly increases the risk of a serious crash. A St. Lucie distracted driving lawyer will examine how these types of distractions contributed to the collision and gather evidence to demonstrate that the driver was not paying proper attention.
When a cell phone is the source of the distraction, the activity may be:
- Sending or receiving a text;
- Talking on the phone;
- Reviewing or sending an email message;
- Capturing images or video with a phone camera;
- Surfing the internet;
- Posting to social media; and,
- Many other dangerous acts.
These actions require drivers to divert their focus away from the roadway, sometimes for several seconds at a time. At highway speeds, even a brief distraction can mean traveling the length of a football field without watching the road. A St. Lucie distracted driving lawyer may work to obtain phone records, digital data, and witness testimony to determine whether phone usage contributed to the accident.
Note that there are other forms of distracted driving that don’t get as much attention as cell phone use. Examples include eating, drinking, grooming, applying makeup, interacting with a GPS, adjusting the radio, or reaching for objects inside the vehicle. These behaviors may seem minor, but they can still prevent a driver from reacting quickly to traffic changes, pedestrians, or unexpected hazards. A St. Lucie distracted driving lawyer understands that distracted driving cases often require careful investigation to uncover the true cause of the crash.
In some cases, proving distraction requires piecing together multiple forms of evidence. Surveillance cameras, dashcam footage, vehicle data recorders, and eyewitness statements can all play a role in demonstrating how the driver was behaving before the collision occurred. A St. Lucie distracted driving lawyer will analyze all available information to build a strong claim and show how the driver’s actions created an unsafe situation on the road.
What to do if You’re Hurt in a Distracted Driving Crash
If you have been a victim of a distracted driving accident, there is a possibility for you to receive compensation. Distracted driving accidents can lead to serious injuries such as whiplash, broken bones, head trauma, spinal injuries, and other long-term medical conditions. Rest assured that our lawyers at Sholtes Law, PLLC will actively advocate for you throughout the entire process. A St. Lucie distracted driving lawyer from our team will help you understand your legal rights and guide you through the steps necessary to pursue a claim.
However, there are some things you should do after the collision to protect both your health and your potential legal case:
- Seek medical attention right away, as proper care supports your health and your claim;
- Take pictures of the scene and your vehicle;
- Get contact information from potential witnesses;
- Never admit fault; and,
- Don’t make any statements to the other driver’s insurance company.
Taking these steps can help preserve important evidence that a St. Lucie distracted driving lawyer can later use to support your case. Even small details captured shortly after the accident can play a major role in demonstrating how the crash occurred.
After addressing your immediate medical needs and gathering initial information, it is wise to consult with a St. Lucie distracted driving lawyer as soon as possible. An experienced attorney can help you navigate the insurance claims process, communicate with adjusters, and prevent insurance companies from taking advantage of you during a vulnerable time. Insurance providers often attempt to minimize payouts or dispute liability, particularly in distracted driving cases where proving the distraction may require additional evidence.
A St. Lucie distracted driving lawyer can also help calculate the full value of your claim. Compensation may include medical expenses, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, property damage, and damages for pain and suffering. When injuries are severe, a St. Lucie distracted driving lawyer may also pursue compensation for future medical care, diminished earning capacity, and the long-term effects the crash has had on your quality of life. By working with an experienced attorney, you can focus on recovery while your legal team works to secure the compensation you deserve.
Speak to a St. Lucie Distracted Driving Lawyer for Free
While your rights may seem clear as the victim of a distracted driving collision, there are legal rules and subtleties that can have a drastic impact on your claim. At Sholtes Law, PLLC, our team is ready to tackle the challenges, allowing you to concentrate on your recovery from injuries. Please call 855-534-2509 or check out our website to schedule a no-cost case evaluation today. We’re happy to describe our legal services for accident victims throughout St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, and Martin Counties.
