Distracted driving is becoming an increasing issue with every new advancement in technology. A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) asserts that the problem is not limited to vehicle operators and passengers; it also affects pedestrians and bicyclists.
After a devastating crash caused by distracted driving, an Orlando distracted driving car accident and injury attorney from our law firm can help. You might be entitled to compensation if someone else caused you to be injured in a collision. Our Orlando personal injury lawyes is committed to helping accident victims.
Contact us for a free case evaluation with a distracted driving accident lawyer.
Exploring the Causes of Distracted Driving
Technology is a major cause of driver distraction, but there are others. Year after year, our vehicles and phones include more features that can draw the driver’s attention away from operating a car safely. Some of the most common distractions include:
- Texting or talking on cell phones
- Talking to passengers or children in the car
- Finding a radio station or adjusting sound controls
- Adjusting heating or cooling controls
- Checking or adjusting Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment
- Smoking, eating, or drinking
- Personal grooming
People also routinely drop items on the floor and fish blindly for them while trying to maintain speed and stay in their traffic lane. Distracted driving accidents are caused by any activity that takes a driver’s attention away from the act of driving.
Increasing Technology Is Making Matters Worse
The CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reports that around 13% of all automobile accidents in the U.S. involve distracted driving. There are three types of distractions:
- Visual distractions: This includes anything that takes your visual focus off the road. A visual distraction can be a passenger you turn to speak to, children in the back seat, or an animal grazing at the side of the road. Checking your position is a visual distraction if you utilize a GPS device. Texting is one of the leading causes of visual distraction.
- Manual distractions: These distractions can also be associated with many visual distractions as they overlap. These involve any activity that removes one or both hands from the steering wheel while driving. Eating, drinking, texting, adjusting passenger compartment controls, and similar activities are manual distractions.
- Cognitive distractions: These are the things that consume your mental capabilities while driving. They can include being over-tired, upset or angry, sad, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. A rough day at work or an unexpected diagnosis from a doctor can contribute to cognitive distraction while driving.
Any distraction may endanger you, your passengers, people in other vehicles, or pedestrians near roadways. After an accident with a distracted driver, consulting with our car accident team can help you determine your next steps.
Types of Injuries From Distracted Driving Accidents
Bumps and bruises are common in any vehicle accident. Some of the other injuries you might experience include:
- Fractures, strains, and sprains.
- Soft tissue injuries.
- Cuts, scrapes, and abrasions.
- Head injury, including concussion and traumatic brain injury (TBI).
- Whiplash, neck, spine, and nerve injury.
- Partial or complete paralysis.
- Loss of limbs or digits (fingers and toes).
The severity of injuries can be more significant in distracted driving accidents. The driver, being distracted, may not react in time to brake or apply evasive maneuvers. This situation can lead to a higher-speed collision with other moving vehicles, stationary objects, or pedestrians.
Determining the Level of Compensation For Your Injuries
The compensation you might receive after a collision depends on several factors. When our team evaluates your case, they will place a monetary value on your injuries. This amount will include the economic impact of the accident and the non-economic impact it has on your life and family.
Economic Damages for Distracted Driving
Economic damages are direct compensation for the money you pay out or the wages you lose when you can’t work. They can include the following:
- Ambulance costs
- Emergency room treatment
- Hospitalizations
- Surgical and other medical procedures
- Medications
- Medical devices
- Physical therapy
- Lost wages, including salary, commissions, bonuses, and vacation pay
- Loss of earning capacity
- Loss of pension or other employment and retirement benefits
Non-Economic Damages for Distracted Driving
Non-economic damages include things that might not have a monetary value but cost you your quality of life after an accident. They can consist of the following:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional and mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of relationships
When our team evaluates your case, we will consider all short- and long-term damages from your accident. We also consider the effect your injuries may have on your family.
An Orlando Distracted Driving Accident Attorney Is Here For You
Any car, truck, or motorcycle accident can leave you feeling distraught, overwhelmed, and frightened. Medical costs, vehicle repair and replacement, and the loss of the ability to work can create a cascading feeling of hopelessness.
An Orlando crash lawyer can help dispel that hopeless and lost feeling. You deserve fair compensation for your injuries; we will fight to obtain that. You can enjoy peace of mind with our team working for you.
What We Do For You
Even though many collisions are investigated by law enforcement personnel, our team will conduct a secondary investigation. We will collect evidence, determine the cause of your accident, and interview witnesses to build a strong claim.
We will communicate with the insurance company so you can concentrate on healing. Insurance adjusters can notoriously twist what you say to use it against you. We know all their tactics and tricks and will handle all negotiations regarding your compensation.
Many accidents and personal injury claims settle before they go to court. Our personal injury attorneys prepare your case as if we expect to go to court. This approach allows us to fight for fair compensation before a court appearance and, if necessary, in court.
Support For You in Your Time of Need
Our motor vehicle accident team will support you when you need legal assistance. We provide you with your attorney’s phone number, offer frequent case updates, and answer your questions. We aim to recover a settlement that addresses your expenses, pain, and suffering.
Our responsive legal care means that you can concentrate on healing while we take care of all the details. We are committed to helping accident victims and are active in your community (it is our community too).
Finding an Orlando Auto Accident Attorney
When you need an Orlando personal injury lawyer for an accident involving distracted driving, the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine are ready to fight for you. We handle these cases on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you don’t pay upfront for our services. We only get paid when we get you compensation.
After a serious accident, you are likely wondering about your next steps. Don’t let an insurance company take advantage of you. We are here to help you through the claims process from start to finish. Contact us today for a free consultation.