New York Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer
Drivers have more distractions at their fingertips than ever before. In addition to eating, drinking, reading, changing clothes, looking at passengers in the back seat, and other activities, drivers now have the entire internet and constant communication with friends and family available while their attention should be focused on the task at hand. Each year, more than 2,800 people are killed in distracted driving accidents across the country. Two-thirds of those fatalities are drivers, while a substantial portion are passengers, pedestrians, and bicyclists.
Distracted driving accidents are rapidly surpassing drunk driving as the most dangerous hazard on the road in New York and across the United States. If your family has been devastated by a distracted driving car crash, you could be eligible for compensation. The distracted driving auto accident attorneys at Dupée & Monroe have years of experience fighting for the rights of accident victims. We work to get you and your family the recovery you deserve.
The Dangers of Distracted Driving
According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are three types of distractions drivers can face: visual; manual; and cognitive. Cognitive distractions take your mind off of driving; manual distractions take your hands off the wheel; and visual distractions take your eyes off the road. Some safety experts also point to auditory distractions, which distract your ears from the job of driving. The more types of distractions present, the more likely a driver is to wind up in an accident.
Texting while driving poses such a significant danger because it triggers all aspects of distractions. Your eyes are on your phone instead of the road; your focus is on what you are reading or your planned response; and your hands are busy scrolling and typing instead of controlling your vehicle. Safety experts explain that responding to a text takes an average of five seconds. Looking at your phone for five seconds while driving 55 miles per hour is basically the same as driving blindfolded for the length of a football field.
Recovering Damages After a Distracted Driving Accident
If you were in a car accident in New York with another driver, in order to recover damages you must demonstrate that you suffered serious injury and that the other driver was at fault for the accident. If you did not suffer a serious injury, then you are likely limited to your personal injury protection insurance under New York’s no-fault insurance scheme. If, however, you suffered a serious injury such as a broken bone, loss of limb, disability, disfigurement, wrongful death, or loss of organ function, then you might have a shot at a fuller recovery.
In a car accident personal injury case, you can establish fault by showing that the other driver caused the crash that injured you and that they did so as a result of negligent behavior. Proving that the driver was distracted just before or at the time of the crash is strong evidence in favor of your personal injury claim. You could have a claim for distracted driving injury if the driver that hit you was doing any of the following or other distracting activities while driving:
- Texting, emailing, or messaging on social media
- Scrolling the internet
- Focusing on GPS functions or directions
- Eating
- Drinking
- Reading books, maps, or other material
- Watching YouTube or other videos
- Changing clothes
- Shaving, doing makeup, or otherwise grooming
Dedicated Hudson Valley Distracted Driving Accident Attorneys at Your Service
If you or a loved one has been injured in a distracted driving crash in New York, get help seeking damages from those responsible by contacting the seasoned and effective Goshen personal injury lawyers at Dupée & Monroe for a free consultation at 845-294-8900.
