Distracted Driving Accidents Kill and Injure Thousands Every Year

 Posted on April 24,2020 in Distracted Driving Accidents

Few technologies have had the impact on Americans’ daily lives that smartphones have had. You may use a smartphone to stay connected with loved ones, check the weather forecast, take pictures and videos, listen to music, and more. Unfortunately, as smartphone technology becomes more and more advanced, people become more and more reliant on their phones. Some people cannot even put their phone down when they are behind the wheel of the car. If you or a loved one were hurt in an accident involving distracted driving, you may have a valid personal injury claim.

Shocking Statistics

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 3,000 people died in car accidents caused by distracted driving in 2018, and many more were injured. Texting and driving has long been an issue on U.S. roads, but now, there are even more smartphone-related distractions to be concerned about. Social media, emails, and mobile game apps are just as distracting as texting is. Some motorists even admit to watching Netflix or other video streaming services while operating a car.

Of course, phones are not the only distraction that can lead to accidents. Kids or pets can also be a major distraction for many motorists. A driver may take his or her eyes off of the road for only a few moments to deal with a problem in the backseat only to realize that he or she is headed straight for a collision. Distracted driving can even be caused simply by the presence of passengers in vehicle. Anything that takes a driver’s mind away from driving, eyes off of the road, or hands off of the wheel can result in serious or even deadly car accidents.

Personal Injury Claims Involving Distracted Driving

Major auto accidents involving distracted driving often lead to personal injury claims. If a driver acted negligently and this negligence led to an accident in which someone was hurt or killed, the driver may be liable for damages. The injured person may be entitled to compensation for hospital bills, ongoing medical care, reduced employability, lost income, pain and suffering, and more. If distracted driving resulted in a death, the surviving family of the deceased person may be entitled to compensation as well. They may receive reimbursement for the deceased person’s medical expenses and funeral and burial costs as well as compensation for their own losses.

Contact a Lake County Car Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident involving distracted driving, contact an experienced Waukegan personal injury attorney to learn more about pursuing compensation. Schedule a free consultation at Salvi & Maher, L.L.C. by calling our office at 847-662-3303 today.

Sources:

https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving

https://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/distracted_driving/index.html