Car accidents are terrifying, but when they are caused by distracted drivers, these accidents can be very frustrating experiences. Most people understand that it is not safe to use a cell phone or eat while driving because it distracts from the road and can cause serious accidents. Yet many drivers still engage in activities at the wheel that take their eyes and minds off the road.
If you are the victim of injuries because of someone else’s poor decisions, you could recover compensation for the difficulty they have caused in your life. Some damages you could recover are medical expenses, including hospital charges and ambulance fees, lost time at work, and emotional distress.
Personal injury law can be complicated and difficult to prove, so you should have trusted legal representatives like those at our law firm helping with your case. At Benjamin Durham Law Firm, we understand the challenges of going through a lawsuit while you are recovering from severe injuries. We will handle the legal aspects of your case so you can focus on resting and healing. Contact us today at (385) 342-4300 to schedule an appointment with our helpful legal team.
What Are Some Causes of Distracted Driving in Utah?
Distracted drivers almost never intentionally cause an accident. However, they should be held liable for their choices to engage in distracting activities while at the wheel. Distractions can affect drivers in three ways: visually, manually, and cognitively.
Visual Distractions
Visual automobile distractions remove a person’s visual attention from the road. Some examples are changing the radio station where you have to look down to see what number to select.
Manual Distractions
Manual distractions occur when a person removes one or both hands from the wheel to engage in an activity. For example, eating or drinking while driving would be a manual distraction.
Cognitive Distractions
These distractions have to do with where your mind is while you drive, so they are harder to define. However, cognitive distractions can be some of Utah drivers’ most dangerous forms of distractions. Some examples include arguing with a passenger, daydreaming, or thinking about bad news you’ve just received.
Triple Threats
Some distractions are examples of all three forms of distracted driving and are known as triple threats. These include cell phone use where the person is simultaneously not watching the road, removing their hands from the wheel, and not focusing mentally on their driving. These distractions can cause serious accidents as the person has no time to react when encountering a hazard on the road.
What Injuries Are Commonly Caused by Distracted Driving Accidents?
Some injuries that commonly occur in distracted driving accidents are:
- Whiplash or neck injuries – While neck injuries are usually not serious, they are still very painful and require a long recovery. These injuries occur because the neck bones cannot keep up with the motion of the person being thrown forward or to the side during the accident.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries – With the importance of the brain for every body function, it’s no surprise that brain injuries can have devastating consequences for accident victims. These injuries include concussions and penetrating injuries that can impact a victim’s life for years to come.
- Broken bones – Bone fractures are another example of a painful injury that involves a long recovery. Some broken bones may even require expensive surgery to heal.
- Burns – When a car’s engine ignites after a distracted driving accident, the passengers in the car can suffer from painful burns that require a long recovery and can lead to permanent disfigurement.
Whatever injuries you’ve sustained, you should seek medical attention immediately. Even accident victims who don’t feel that they are seriously injured should be examined by a medical professional following an accident.
What Compensation Could I Recover After a Distracted Driving Accident?
After getting medical treatment for any injuries, you should consider bringing a distracted driving claim to recover damages from your accident. While the insurance company may cover the property damage to your car, these settlements are usually far below the actual value of the claim.
Distracted driving accident victims could recover damages for:
- Medical bills, both past, and future
- Hospital charges
- Ambulance costs
- Expenses for specialists such as physical therapy and chiropractors
- Pain and suffering, both past and future
- Lost income, including bonuses, wages, salaries, and vacation time
- Property damage
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement
- Loss of companionship for a spouse who was injured or killed in the accident
To get the maximum compensation for your distracted driving claim, you need competent and confident lawyers on your side. Reach out to our legal team for help getting the damages you deserve.
Can Our Distracted Driving Accidents Attorneys Help You?
With the complex nature of personal injury law, you should always consult trusted attorneys before taking legal action against the distracted driver who caused your injuries. A lawyer can help you interact with the insurance company, ensuring that you aren’t taken advantage of and offering a settlement that is far too low. Experienced Salt Lake City car accident attorneys can also review evidence that shows who is liable for the accident. This includes police reports, surveillance footage, eyewitness accounts, and accident reconstructionists who recreate the wreck. Your lawyers will also help gather evidence of all the damages incurred because of your injuries to ensure you are fully compensated.
At Benjamin Durham Law Firm, we believe that every victim of someone else’s negligence or reckless actions deserves to see justice. We know that you may feel overwhelmed by your injuries and the bills that keep adding up while you are out of work. We promise to leverage all of our talent, experience, and honesty to get the maximum compensation possible for you. Please get in touch with us right away for help with your distracted driving lawsuit by calling us at (385) 342-4300.
