Fighting For The Compensation You Need After A Distracted Driving Accident
Distracted driving has long been a problem on public roads and highways, but the advent of new technology is fueling what safety officials from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have dubbed a nationwide epidemic. In fact, distraction is believed to be one of the primary driving forces behind significant increases in traffic accidents, injuries and deaths on American roads.
Although distracted driving may be common, it should never be tolerated. This is because it is an inherently dangerous, negligent and, at times, unlawful act that puts others at serious risk of suffering preventable harm. If you or someone you love were recently injured in an auto accident caused by a motorist who was distracted at the time, it is important to know that you have rights.
At Ruth Law Firm, I am devoted to protecting the rights of seriously injured victims and their families. Over the years, I have successfully handled hundreds of personal injury cases, including all types of auto wrecks involving distracted drivers. By leveraging 30 years of experience, I fight to hold distracted motorists accountable for their negligence and liable for the injuries and damages they cause.
Understanding The Causes Of Distracted Driving
A distracted driver, whether they are texting or adjusting the radio, can cause serious car accidents and catastrophic injuries. Distracted driving occurs when drivers engage in any behavior or action other than safely operating their motor vehicle, and it can take many forms.
Common forms of distracted driving include:
- Eating and drinking
- Adjusting music
- Cell phone use
- Reading or using the navigation
- Talking to passengers
- Personal grooming
While distraction is hazardous in any form when it takes place behind the wheel of a motor vehicle, experts resoundingly agree that cell phone use and text messaging are the most dangerous. This is because using a cell phone, placing a call, or reading / composing a text commands multiple forms of a driver’s attention at once (visual, mental and manual). This substantially increases the risk of auto accidents.
Because cell phone use and text messaging are so dangerous, most states throughout the country have passed laws prohibiting such conduct. The same is true in North Dakota and Minnesota. Under state law, drivers of all ages are prohibited from texting behind the wheel. Cell phone use is also banned for novice drivers under the age of 18.
Distracted Driving Equals Negligence
There’s no other way around it – distracted driving is negligent. As motorists, we have a legal duty to operate our motor vehicles safely. Engaging in risky multitasking and failing to make driving the primary task when behind the wheel is a failure to uphold this duty.
Fortunately, victims injured in distracted driving wrecks have the right to pursue financial compensation for their losses by initiating personal injury cases. Families who have lost loved ones in tragic wrecks caused by distracted motorists also have a right to seek recovery of damages through wrongful death claims.
By working to prove that a motorist was distracted at the time of a wreck and that they failed to uphold their legal duty, I fight for the compensation my clients deserve.
This compensation may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Impairment or disability
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost work income and future earnings
- Mental anguish and emotional injuries
- Loss of quality of life or loss of companionship
I know that unpredictable wrecks can disrupt the lives of victims and their families, which is why I work zealously to illustrate the full scope of an accident’s impact on our clients – including their physical, financial and emotional toll. In every case, my goal is to secure the maximum compensation possible.
Schedule Your Free Consultation Today
Because the steps you take after a preventable car wreck can impact your health and your legal right to compensation, it is essential that you take the right ones. At Ruth Law Firm, I can help you do just that when you reach out to our legal team as soon as possible after your accident.
From helping you find the medical support you need to advocate on your behalf with insurance companies that want to pay as little as possible, I provide comprehensive support and representation throughout the entirety of your case. I also focus on personalized attention, and make myself readily available to client questions and concerns.
To learn more about your rights and what my firm can do to help, contact me for a free consultation. Because I work on contingency fees, there are no charges associated with hiring our firm, and there is no fee unless I make a successful recovery in your case. You can reach me by calling 701-581-9098 or by sending me an online message using my contact form.