Monmouth County Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer

Distracted driving is a serious problem facing all motorists. With the rise of smartphones, social media apps, GPS, and more, drivers have an ever-increasing opportunity to turn their attention away from the road. For more than two decades, Falcon Law Firm, LLC has fought for the rights of injured persons. If you or a loved one have been hurt due to the negligent actions of another, a knowledgeable Pennsylvania and New Jersey distracted driving accident lawyer from our firm can help you secure the compensation you deserve. Contact us today.

Why Hire a Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer?

After an automobile accident, you may not be in the best place to think about additional matters such as paperwork or claims. An experienced Monmouth County car accident lawyer can help ease your burdens by:

• Thoroughly investigating your case
• Gathering key evidence to support your claim and prove fault
• Preparing and filing extensive paperwork and court documents associated with the claims process
• Negotiating with the insurance company and its agents on your behalf

What is Distracted Driving in New Jersey and Pennsylvania?

Distracted driving is a term that covers a broad spectrum of behaviors while operating a motor vehicle. Typically, distracted driving has become synonymous with teenagers texting while behind the wheel. However, sipping coffee during the morning commute or scrolling for a different song on the radio is equally distracting.

In the last reporting year, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that over 3,000 people lost their lives due to distracted drivers. The report goes on to define distracted driving as “any activity that diverts attention from driving,” including:

• Talking or texting on a cell phone
• Eating and drinking
• Talking and interacting with the people in your vehicle, including babies, children, friends, and co-workers
• Fidgeting with the stereo, entertainment, or navigation system

Distracted Driving Statistics in NJ & PA

Statistically, distracted driving has steadily increased over the years in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. While texting or social media apps tend to be the predominant factor, “anything that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving” is considered a distraction.

The Official Site of the State of New Jersey has compiled a comprehensive analysis of distracted driving facts and statistics:

• Between 2012 and 2016, distracted driving significantly contributed to nearly 800,000 traffic accidents
• 8% of adolescent drivers involved in fatal car accidents were reportedly distracted at the time of the crash
• A quarter of teens reportedly respond to a text message one or more times while driving
• 20% of teenagers and 10% of parents surveyed admit to carrying on extended texting conversations
• 23% of drivers involved in fatal crashes were between 20 and 29 years of age
• Visual-manual tasks, like reaching for a phone, typing messages, and clicking the navigational app or system, increase the risk of a car accident by three times

Pennsylvania is also battling distracted driving, as seen in the recent Pennsylvania Crash Facts & Statistics report:

• There were more than 128,000 traffic accidents across the state
• 1,190 people were fatally injured on Pennsylvania roads
• Over 78,000 people suffered injuries
• In the last five years, fatal crashes have increased by 4.7%
• Distracted driving was responsible for 15.5% of all automobile accidents

What Are the Three Main Categories of Distracted Driving?

At Falcon Law Firm, LLC, our New Jersey and Pennsylvania distracted driving accident lawyers understand the significance of car crash data. Drivers continue to engage in risky behavior behind the wheel.

In some cases, distracted driving may result from adults attempting to multitask. Teenagers may know better than to answer their phone when it rings, but may be distracted by a notification. If they glance down instinctively to see if the notification was a text message or a Snapchat, they have spent seconds distracted from the road.

The CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, separates distracted driving into three categories:

• Cognitive: Cognitive distractions describe the act of letting your mind wander. If you have ever driven home from work on a familiar route, only to arrive and not remember the drive, you may have been cognitively distracted.
• Manual: Manual distractions are the physical act of removing your hands from the steering wheel to accomplish a separate activity. If a parent attempts to soothe a crying toddler by reaching into the diaper bag, searching by hand for a pacifier, then going behind the seat to hand the pacifier to the crying child, the parent has been manually distracted from driving.
• Visual: Visual distractions engage the driver’s attention and involve looking away from the road. For example, if a family plays “I Spy” on a road trip, the passengers may enjoy spotting different landmarks, cars, and trucks, and planes in the sky. However, if the driver plays and spies a yellow car or a cow, they have diverted their attention from the road momentarily and engaged in visual distractions.

Distracted driving accounts for more than simple cell phone use. Bad habits and everyday scenarios are also to blame.

What Evidence Can Be Used to Prove Distracted Driving?

Distracted driving cases can be complex and require the support of evidence to prove the case. Distracted driving can be proven by examining evidence such as photos or video of the incident, police reports, medical reports, eyewitness testimony, and other forms of evidence. Understand that it’s the role of the attorney to gather and examine the evidence, so you can focus on recovering after an accident.

How A Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer Can Help

After an automobile collision, the determination of fault can be complex. In addition, filing a car accident claim is not a simple process. An accident victim must overcome numerous challenges to receive a settlement for their claim. In many cases, insurance companies may deny a legitimate claim, forcing an accident victim to undergo a complicated series of appeals.

You can depend on a Pennsylvania and New Jersey distracted driving accident lawyer from our firm to help. We will:

• Thoroughly investigate your case, gathering key evidence to support your claim and prove fault.
• Determining liability is one of the most important steps to recovering compensation. Our dedicated attorneys will interview witnesses, retain investigators, gather police reports, cell phone reports, social media messages, and any other evidence that can prove the driver was distracted at the time of the accident.
• Prepare and file extensive paperwork associated with the claims process.
• Our skilled staff has been handling car accident cases for over two decades. We prepare documents with careful attention to detail and deadlines to ensure you receive your settlement as quickly as possible.
• Negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.
• Insurance companies are skilled negotiators with specific training to keep payouts at a minimum. In some cases, an insurance adjuster may use unsavory tactics to pressure accident victims into accepting a lower sum than they deserve. Our talented litigators can evaluate your case, determine the potential value, and work to reach a fair settlement with the insurance company.

In the event the insurance company does not offer a fair settlement, we will happily represent your best interests in court and seek the verdict you need to move on with your life.

What Damages are Available in a Distracted Driving Accident Lawsuit?

At Falcon Law Firm, LLC, we believe negligent parties should be held accountable for the harm they inflict on others. You may be entitled to damages, including:

• Full coverage of your medical expenses related to the accident
• Lost wages if you are unable to work
• Loss of future income
• Pain and suffering damages
• Emotional distress damages
• Possible punitive damages for gross negligence

How Long Do I Have to File a Distracted Driving Accident Lawsuit?

In most instances, you will have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. Once this time period is closed, you may lose the opportunity to file a lawsuit and recover damages. Thus, it’s in your best interest to contact a lawyer as soon as possible if you’ve been in a car accident involving distracted driving.

Contact a Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer Today

Distracted driving contributes to more injuries and fatalities on the roads every year. Adolescents and adults alike are guilty of engaging in various types of distractions every day. If you or a loved one have been seriously injured due to the careless acts of a driver, consult with one of our New Jersey and Pennsylvania distracted driving accident attorneys today. We have extensive experience handling distracted driving cases, and work hard to ensure our clients obtain the best damages award possible under the law.