While distracted driving has always been a problem, it has become much more serious with the evolution of cell phones and smartphones. With so many features, functions, and capabilities available in the palm of your hand, cell phone usage is creating quite a dangerous driving environment.

What You Need to Know About Distracted Driving

Plenty of things that can distract a person while driving. From eating and drinking to yelling at fighting kids in the backseat and general multitasking – anything that causes you to take your eyes off the road can increase the likelihood of an accident. However, texting and driving has become a serious issue. According to the National Safety Council, 1.6 million crashes occur every year as the result of cell phone use while driving. This equates to one out of every four accidents being attributed to texting while driving. The result of which includes almost 390,000 injuries.

Proving Negligence

Let’s face it – medical bills, rental cars, and vehicle repairs can be costly. Seeking compensation for any injuries or damages that have resulted from an accident can help decrease the financial stresses of distracting driving incidents.

If you have been in an accident due to someone’s distracted driving, there are several steps you need to take in order to give yourself the legal advantage. Immediately after an accident has occurred, you should check yourself and anyone else involved in the crash for injuries.

Immediately call 911 whether there are injuries or not to report the accident. Taking photos of the accident area, surrounding signs, damages, and any injuries are also vital. Seeking medical help, whether you feel injured or not, is equally as important. While broken bones or similar injuries can be obvious, whiplash and internal injuries can take hours, if not days, to present themselves. Seeking medical attention immediately after an accident can help detect internal issues and help demonstrate that you sought proactive medical care. Finally, upon being released from the hospital, you should contact a personal injury lawyer.

Contact Us to Take Action against Distracted Driving

There are several ways you can help make the roads a safer place for everyone. This includes avoiding eating and drinking while operating your vehicle and putting your phone on silent. Eliminating things that cause you to lose focus decreases distracting driving.

However, if you have been injured by a distracted driver, contact Waitz & Downer today. Our experienced personal injury lawyers want to help you take a stand against distracted driving. We strive to help you receive the compensation you deserve should you have suffered from damages or injuries from a distracted driver.