Distracted driving can be a cause of rear-end collisions and all kinds of other accidents. While a rear-end collision can also happen due to other causes, such as speeding and following too closely, the distractions cause an overwhelming majority of such crashes.
While rear-end collisions do not always end in serious accidents, figures from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that almost 3,000 individuals died in accidents caused by distracted driving in 2018. Distracted driving accidents can be avoided if drivers pay full attention to the road and eliminate any distractions inside their cars.
If you suffered injuries in a rear-end crash recently, you might wonder whether you have legal recourse against a careless distracted driver. A car accident lawyer can advise you on any legal options for recovering compensation.
Examples of Distracted Driving
Texting and driving is the number one activity that comes to mind when we think about distracted driving. However, there can be many reasons why a driver might be distracted. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), any activity that takes a driver’s attention away from driving can count as distracted driving. Examples of distracted driving include:
- Talking or texting on the phone
- Interacting with passengers
- Adjusting the stereo or air conditioning
- Playing loud music
- Looking at something outside the car
- Eating and drinking while driving
- Pets freely roaming around the car
- Putting on makeup
Distracted driving can be a cause of rear-end collisions. If you can prove that a distracted driver caused your accident, you could recover medical bills, lost income, and other expenses. Depending on your injuries, you could qualify for non-economic compensation, including awards for physical pain, emotional distress, and other damages.
For a free legal consultation 800-747-3733
Proving Distracted Driving
Proving distracted driving can be challenging for those looking to recover compensation from an at-fault driver. If a driver texted on their phone or called someone while they rear-ended another car, their phone records might show this. However, other distractions, such as adjusting the stereo or interacting with passengers in the back, could be harder to prove. A plaintiff will need to provide compelling evidence that holds up in a court of law.
Evidence proving negligence can include police accident reports, witness statements, car data, traffic camera recordings, and other proof that could be tricky to obtain. A car accident lawyer can help accident victims gather the necessary evidence to prove a distracted driving claim.
Contact Us for Help Today
If you or a loved one suffered harm in a rear-end accident in Fort Lauderdale due to a distracted driver, you might have the right to hold the driver legally responsible for your damages. Hiring a car accident lawyer as soon as possible after your accident can be a good first step for getting justice. Do not wait to seek legal advice. There is a time limit on filing personal injury claims in the state of Florida.
Contact the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine for a free consultation today at 1-800-747-3733.
