Carle Place Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer
Distracted driving is any activity that diverts a driver’s attention from the task of driving. It is one of the leading causes of serious car accidents. The statistics are staggering. According to the National Highway Safety Administration over three thousand people died as a result of distracted driving in 2016 and over three hundred ninety thousand were injured. Whether someone is driving while talking on the phone (without a headset or bluetooth), texting, playing with their phone, eating, rubbernecking, reading, etc., they are not paying full attention to the road. Because of these statistics, it is essential to know how to get help if found in a distracted driver accident; a Carle Place Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer can help.
There are three types of distractions that impair the essential tools a person needs to be a safe driver, manual, visual and cognitive.
- Manual – Manual distractions are diversions that cause the driver to take one or both hands off the steering wheel. Types of manual distractions include eating, smoking and searching for a wallet or purse. It is best to take care of these types of distractions before driving if possible. If already driving it is recommended that a person pull over if there is a need to search for something.
- Visual – A visual distraction is something that keeps a driver’s eyes off the road. So looking at a phone, or putting on makeup can be considered visual distractions. Drivers should keep their phone on “Do Not Disturb” so as not to feel tempted to look at their phone.
- Cognitive – Cognitive distractions are things that impair a person’s ability to focus and pay attention to driving. The worst offense here would be a driver who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. But road rage and daydreaming are also cognitive distractions. Even being fatigued or drowsy is a form of a cognitive distraction.
Texting is the most common, and perhaps most dangerous form of distracted driving. Texting encompasses all three types of distractions mentioned above. If a person texts while driving, their hand is off the wheel, their eyes are off the road, and their focus is somewhere else. The average text takes a driver’s eyes off the road for five seconds. That is the equivalent of driving the length of a football field. Texting while driving is also said to be 6 times more dangerous than driving intoxicated. Palermo Law is a Long Island Personal Injury Law Firm dedicated to representing individuals that have suffered serious injuries as a result of a distracted driver’s negligent driving.
Important Deadlines To Know For Your Distracted Driving Case:
Medical bills and lost wages are paid through no-fault insurance. All no-fault insurance carriers require a no-fault application be filed within thirty days. Failing to do so may result in denial of your no-fault benefits and may make you personally responsible for the bills.
In distracted driving accident cases there is generally a three-year statute of limitations to initiate a lawsuit. However, that time period may be reduced to as little as 90 days if your car accident involves a municipal, state or federal entity. So, it’s best to check with a qualified car accident attorney as soon as possible.
How Much Is My Carle Place Distracted Driving Accident Case Worth?
The value of an injury suffered in a car accident is an accumulation of several different factors. These include any accident related economic expenses such as lost wages and damage to your car as well as non-economic losses such as pain and suffering and mental anguish. At Palermo Law, our experience in handling thousands of car accident cases allows us to accurately assess the value of your case to determine the fairest settlement or jury award. In cases of long-term injuries, we partner with experts in the fields of medicine and economics to make sure that your compensation is adjusted for future inflation. This allows you the peace of mind knowing that you will be compensated for years to come.
Consult with a Carle Place Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer Today
If you have suffered injuries in Carle Place from a car accident, it is a good idea to consult with a car accident attorney as soon as possible. Hiring an attorney early on in the process will help protect your legal rights, ensure your medical bills and lost wages are paid and give you an advantage building a strong personal injury case. An early investigation will also help preserve key evidence in your case. Contact a Carle Place Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer for a free consultation of your case.