Greensboro Distracted Driving Accident Attorney

distracted driving

Greensboro Distracted Driving Accident Attorney

distracted driving

Were you injured in a collision caused by a distracted driver in Greensboro? Are you dealing with severe injuries, ongoing medical treatment, and financial strain due to someone else’s failure to pay attention while behind the wheel?

If you’re struggling under the weight of medical bills, lost income, disabilities, pain, emotional trauma, and other losses due to the crash, know that you don’t have to face those challenges alone. A skilled Greensboro distracted driving attorney from Ward Black Law is ready to help you pursue the full compensation you need.

At Ward Black Law, we know how overwhelming the aftermath of an accident can be. We want to help lessen your anxiety by taking the reins and advocating for your rights so that you can focus on healing. We’re prepared to investigate the accident that injured you and work to build a compelling case for the financial recovery you deserve.

You can count on us to work closely with you throughout the legal process to ensure your interests are represented and your needs are met. Whether you need help finding a medical specialist or securing transportation, we’ll be there for you.

Has a distracted driver turned your world upside down? Let us work to put things right. Contact the team at Ward Black Law for help today to set up a free initial consultation.

What Is Distracted Driving?

Distracted driving is a dangerous form of negligence that ultimately claimed the lives of at least 3,142 people in the United States in just one recent year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). While many people think distracted driving primarily entails driving while using a phone or other wireless device, the definition of distracted driving is much broader. It includes any activity or behavior that takes a driver’s focus and attention off the road and safe driving.

How Our Law Firm Can Help With Your Distracted Driving Crash Case

When you work with a Greensboro car accident attorney from Ward Black Law, you will have skilled legal representation on your side and help through every step of the legal process. An experienced personal injury lawyer from our law offices can help you seek compensation by:

  • Investigating the cause of the accident
  • Recovering evidence vital to your claim
  • Filing necessary paperwork for your injury claim
  • Handling communications with the other driver’s insurance company and other parties
  • Negotiating aggressively on your behalf
  • Preparing a case for court if the at-fault party fails to offer fair compensation
  • Maintaining open and honest communication with you throughout your case

Causes of Distracted Driving Accidents in Greensboro

Just about anything can turn into a distraction if it prevents a driver from paying attention to the road. Most distractions are broken into three different categories:

  • Visual distractions, which take a driver’s eyes off the road
  • Manual distractions, which involve removing the driver’s hands from the wheel
  • Cognitive distractions, which take a driver’s mind off the task of driving

Examples of common forms of driver inattention include:

  • Cell phone use
  • Texting
  • Eating and drinking
  • Listening to music that is too loud
  • Talking with other occupants of the vehicle
  • Interacting with children
  • Changing the radio station
  • Programming a GPS device
  • Reaching for objects in the car
  • Grooming, shaving, or applying makeup
  • Daydreaming
  • Holding or petting an animal

Common Injuries from Distracted Driving Accidents

When a driver is distracted and unable to focus on the road, they may not stop or slow down in time to avoid an accident. Often, distracted driving accidents occur when vehicles are moving at high speeds, resulting in devastating injuries that impact a victim for years, perhaps even for the rest of their lives.

Some of the common serious injuries seen in distracted driving cases include:

  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Whiplash
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Paralysis
  • Internal bleeding
  • Broken bones
  • Lacerations
  • Contusions
  • Psychological trauma
  • Wrongful death

North Carolina Texting While Driving Laws

To minimize the number of distracted driving accidents in the state, North Carolina passed laws restricting the use of some devices while operating a motor vehicle. Under North Carolina law, drivers under 18 are prohibited from talking on cell phones while driving unless they are talking to their parents or emergency responders.

School bus drivers are also not allowed to talk on the phone. The state also prohibits all drivers from texting or emailing while driving a car. However, adults are still allowed to use a cell phone while behind the wheel.

Compensation for a Victim of a Greensboro Inattentive Driver Accident

Victims involved in car accidents caused by drivers who failed to keep their focus on driving may be entitled to monetary compensation to cover their losses. This compensation may cover both financial losses and intangible losses, such as pain and suffering. Compensation could potentially cover:

  • Expenses for necessary medical attention
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of future earning capacity
  • Loss of quality of life
  • Loss of consortium
  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental anguish
  • Property damage
  • Damages from a wrongful death claim

Filing a Car Accident Claim in Greensboro

Depending on the circumstances of the accident, a victim may have several options for recovering compensation after a crash with a distracted driver in Greensboro. A victim may wish to file an injury claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company, or they may need to file a personal injury lawsuit.

Most cases settle through negotiations with the insurance company, but the best way to determine which option is right for you is to consult with an experienced car accident attorney.

The first step in any claim is to contact the insurance carrier. While this seems like a simple first step, victims should consider talking to an attorney first and letting their attorney handle all communications with the insurer.

Insurance adjusters are primarily looking out for the company’s bottom line. They could use anything you say to potentially minimize or even deny your claim. Leaving out a small detail or misstating a fact could hurt your case.

An attorney with Ward Black Law can help you file a car accident claim by handling the paperwork, communications, and negotiations with an insurer. We will also prepare your case for court if the insurer fails to offer a fair settlement.

Distracted Driving Statistics in North Carolina

According to the NHTSA, the five seconds it takes you to read a text is equivalent to driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed if you are going at least 55 mph. That is frightening when you consider that the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) estimates that, in one year, almost 19 percent of crashes in North Carolina involved a distracted driver.

The agency also calculates that there were 53,541 distracted driving collisions in the state. Of those crashes, 154 people lost their lives, and at least 23,467 people were injured.

The same report from the NCDMV also estimates that drivers distracted by cell phones or texting accounted for 1,384 distracted driving collisions and six fatalities.

Drivers distracted by vehicle occupants made up 1,419 distracted driving accidents, and drivers distracted by other electronics such as GPS units or DVD players accounted for 591 accidents and seven fatalities. Drivers paying attention to some other external distraction outside of their vehicle accounted for 462 crashes.