Distracted Driving Accidents
Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer
When you get behind the wheel of your car, you have certain expectations for your commute. You probably won’t be surprised if you get stuck at a red light for what feels like an hour (even though it was probably only a minute at most). Someone is probably driving five miles below the speed limit in the fast lane, and maybe you spy highway patrol doing their rounds on an overpass.
What you don’t expect, however, is to have your life turned upside down due to the carelessness and recklessness of a distracted driver.
Distracted driving is rapidly turning into one of the leading causes of accidents today. A whopping 26 percent of all car crashes can be pinpointed to the driver using their cellphone while driving. At any given time today, some 660,000 people will be distracted by an incoming call or text, which will lead to 1.6 million car crashes this year. In fact, the problem is so bad that Ohio lawmakers passed a new law banning the use of cell phones when driving.
This year, nearly 3,500 lives will be claimed due to distracted driving. Nearly 400,000 people will be injured due to a distracted driver, too. These numbers are unacceptable and entirely preventable. An automobile accident can destroy the lives of victims. Their families will have their lives torn apart too, especially knowing the accident was caused by a distracted driver.
Distracted Driving Behaviors
Car accident lawyers like myself, know the leading causes of distracted driving include:
Cell Phone Use
Texting, talking on the phone, or using apps while driving diverts visual, manual, and cognitive attention from the road, increasing the likelihood of accidents. Drivers who are distracted may not notice other drivers’ actions or changes in traffic conditions. Cell phone use while driving, is one of the leading causes of car accident claims.
Eating and Drinking
Consuming food or beverages while driving requires manual dexterity, and can result in reduced focus on the road and delayed reaction times. Far too many car accidents occur due to sudden stops or collisions with other vehicles because of eating while driving.
Fussing with the Radio or Infotainment System
Adjusting the radio, changing music, or programming GPS systems is something drivers do while on the freeway! These behaviors are visually and mentally distracting, because drivers take their eyes off the road and miss critical actions.
Conversations with Passengers
Engaging in intense or emotional conversations with passengers can divert a driver’s cognitive focus, leading to impaired decision-making and an increased risk of an accident. IF you’ve been injured by a distracted driver and need the help of a personal injury attorney, I am here to help you file a car accident claim to seek financial recovery for your injuries.
Grooming
Activities such as applying makeup, shaving, or fixing hair while driving detracts attention away from the road. It can be nerve wracking when you drive by someone who is clearly more focused on their face than the road in front of them. Let’s face it, their insurance company would be fuming!
Using In-Car Electronics
Interacting with in-car electronics, like touchscreens or climate control systems, can distract drivers visually and mentally. Doing so reduces the ability to respond quickly to changing road conditions and increases the risk of accidents.
Watching The Phone
Viewing videos, movies, or even live sporting events happens way too often! Whether it’s on a mobile device or car entertainment system, driving while watching anything other than the road is dangerous.
Using Portable Electronics
Operating devices such as laptops, tablets, or handheld gaming consoles should never happen while driving because doing so puts the driver and others on the road in danger. These distractions can easily lead to catastrophic collisions resulting in serious injuries.
Rubbernecking
Slowing down to look at car accidents or other incidents on the road can lead to rear-end collisions, as drivers may not notice the slowing traffic ahead. Rubbernecking not only causes traffic to come to a near standstill, but it also may cause fender-benders or more serious collisions.
Car Accident Injuries
I have been a car accident attorney for more than 40 years, and I’ve seen horrific injuries. Here is a short list of injuries commonly caused by car accidents, along with brief descriptions:
Whiplash: Whiplash is a neck injury that occurs when the head jerks forward and then backward suddenly. It can lead to neck pain, stiffness, headaches, and limited range of motion.
Fractures: Car accidents can cause bone fractures and completed breaks of arms, legs, ribs, or collarbones. Fractures are painful and may require surgery, casting, or immobilization.
Concussion: A concussion is a traumatic brain injury resulting from the head being jolted or striking an object during an accident. Symptoms may include headache, confusion, dizziness, and memory problems.
Spinal Cord Injury: Accidents can cause damage to the spinal cord, potentially leading to partial or complete paralysis, loss of sensation, and long-term disability.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): TBIs range from mild to severe and can result in cognitive impairments, mood changes, memory loss, and physical disabilities.
Soft Tissue Injuries: These injuries include sprains, strains, and tears to muscles, ligaments, and tendons. They can cause pain, swelling, and limited mobility.
Internal Injuries: Car accidents can cause internal injuries, such as organ damage or internal bleeding. These injuries may not be apparent initially, but can certainly be life-threatening if not treated immediately. Seek medical attention after a car accident, even if you think you are ok.
Burns: In severe car accidents, fires or explosions may occur, causing burns ranging from first-degree (superficial) to third-degree (full-thickness) burns, often requiring extensive medical treatment.
Emotional Distress: Psychological injuries, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression, can result from the emotional trauma of a car accident. Emotional distress is difficult to manage, and should not be overlooked if you elect to seek compensation.
Driving With a Cell Phone in Ohio
The laws regarding the use of cell phones while driving in Ohio are primarily aimed at preventing distracted driving. Here’s a summary of Ohio’s cell phone use laws while driving:
Texting Ban: In Ohio, it is illegal for all drivers, regardless of age, to write, send, or read text messages or emails while operating a vehicle. This is a primary offense, meaning law enforcement can pull over a driver solely for texting while driving, without needing another reason.
Handheld Ban for Young Drivers: Ohio has a handheld ban for drivers under the age of 18 with a probationary driver’s license or learner’s permit. These drivers are prohibited from using any electronic devices, including cell phones, while operating a vehicle, except in emergencies.
School Zones and Work Zones: In Ohio, it is illegal for all drivers to use handheld electronic devices, including cell phones, while driving in school zones or active work zones when workers are present. This applies to both texting and making phone calls unless using a hands-free system.
Hands-Free Devices: Ohio law allows drivers of all ages to use hands-free devices to make phone calls while driving. This typically involves using Bluetooth technology or other hands-free options that do not require holding the phone.
Emergency Calls: Ohio’s cell phone laws do not prohibit drivers from making emergency calls to law enforcement agencies, medical providers, fire departments, or other emergency services while driving. However, for safety reasons, it is advisable to pull over if possible when making an emergency call.
Penalties: Violating Ohio’s texting or handheld cell phone bans can result in fines and potential license suspension for young drivers with learner’s permits or probationary licenses.
It was very important for Ohio lawmakers to make sure these laws were put in place. Too often, at the accident scene, it is learned that the at fault driver was texting, or looking at something on their phone. If you were injured in an accident because of a negligent driver using their phone, you need to call me and file a personal injury claim. Throughout my career as an auto accident lawyer, I have seen how important it is to follow traffic safety laws, and the devastation that results when safety laws are not adhered to.
Frequent Distracted Drivers
Distracted driving can affect individuals of various demographics, but certain groups may be more prone to driving while distracted . Here is a list of some of the biggest offenders who are putting your safety at risk:
Young Drivers (Teenagers and Young Adults):
Young drivers often lack experience and may underestimate the risks associated with distracted driving. They may be more inclined to use their phones for texting, social media, or entertainment while driving, leading to a higher likelihood of car accidents.
Parents with Young Children:
Parents of young children may become distracted by their kids’ needs and behaviors in the car. Attending to a crying baby, breaking up arguments, or trying to comfort children can divert a parent’s attention away from the road, making them more prone to negligent driving.
Commuters and Busy Professionals:
People with busy work schedules and long commutes may use their drive time to catch up on work emails or conduct business calls. This multitasking is dangerous, as they prioritize work-related tasks over road safety.
Delivery Drivers and Rideshare Drivers:
Drivers who rely on their vehicles for work, such as delivery drivers or rideshare drivers, may be more prone to use GPS apps, handling orders, or interacting with their smartphones while driving. The pressure to meet deadlines and complete tasks quickly can contribute to distracted driving accidents.
Frequent Travelers:
Those who spend a significant amount of time on the road, such as long-distance truck drivers or sales representatives, may use driving time to stay connected with clients, check messages, or engage in work-related activities.
Technology Enthusiasts:
Individuals who are highly reliant on technology and gadgets may be more tempted to use their smartphones, tablets, or in-car infotainment systems while driving. Their fascination with technology can lead to distractions that increase the risk of car accidents.
Inexperienced Drivers (New Drivers and Foreign Drivers):
New drivers and individuals who are not familiar with local road conditions may struggle with navigation and adjusting to traffic norms. Their lack of experience can make them more prone to accidents caused by their negligence.
It’s crucial to recognize that distracted driving is a dangerous behavior that can lead to severe car accidents. Regardless of demographic factors, anyone engaging in distracted driving should be aware of the risks and consequences.
You Need To Call Me
Many people simply do not realize how fast they are going while they are on the road. If, for instance, a driver is cruising along at 55 miles per hour, they can quickly span the length of a football field in just a few seconds. Checking a text, on average, takes around 4 to 5 seconds. To put it bluntly, a lot can happen in those few seconds, and lives can be forever changed. A distracted driver can collide head-on with a car in front of them, an animal that has darted into the road, or a pedestrian who may have the right of way.
The good news is, most people agree that distracted driving is a problem and that cell phone use should be banned when someone is driving. However, just because most of us agree with this, implementing it has been a challenge. Nearly half of all drivers will take a call while driving, and 1 in 10 will respond to a text. Is that call or text really worth ruining someone’s life?
Life after an unexpected car accident can be very scary and uncertain. There will be an endless stream of medical visits and rehabilitation to try to help regain your health and mobility. If the victim was the primary breadwinner for the home, they may find themselves unable to work and provide for their families. When bills are piling up, this can be absolutely stressful and terrifying.
If you have been injured in a car crash due to a distracted driver, please give me a call today for your free consultation. Time is definitely a factor because a two year statute of limitations exists. Call me!
As your car accident lawyer, I’m ready to help you get the maximum amount of financial recovery for your injuries. I’ve served the greater Cleveland area for more than 40 years, and I’m ready to represent you. I take on Big Cases with Big Results, and I won’t shy away from aggressively pursuing your claim.
I want you to feel comfortable reaching out to me no matter if it’s noon or midnight, so when I take your case, I’ll give you my personal cellphone number. Please feel free to give a call or text; I’ll always answer. Furthermore, I understand completely that you’re focused on healing and recovering after your accident. I don’t want you to feel like you have to drive halfway across the state to talk to me, which is why I’ll come to you. I’ve met clients in hospitals, cafes, and their own homes, and I’ll meet you wherever is easiest for you.
Whether you sustained your injury on I-90 or State Route 3, I can help you get the compensation you need to get back on your feet – I’ll Make Them Pay!®
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