With its seamless blend of Southern charm and modern urban atmosphere, Louisville, along Kentucky’s Ohio River, is a city known for its rich history and diverse culture. Unfortunately, like many other vibrant cities, it’s not without its driving distractions.
Consider the distractions that the modern driver faces: billboards, the radio, podcasts, incoming text messages, tweets and Facebook updates, passengers gabbing, disruptive internal thoughts, fatigue, information overload…and that’s just the beginning.
Distractions like these can seriously injure yourself and others and take lives when they occur while behind the wheel.
If a motorist who wasn’t paying as close enough attention as they should have recently struck you or a loved one, leaving you hurt or a relative dead, reach out to us at Thomas Law Offices for a free consultation. Speak with an experienced Louisville distracted driver accident lawyer about what happened and how Kentucky law may allow you to recover compensation for your losses.
Table of Contents
The Toll of Distracted Driving
Unfortunately, distractions behind the wheel are taking a terrible toll on our country’s drivers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3,308 individuals died in vehicle-related accidents due to distracted driving in the U.S. in 2022.
The concerning news is that distracted driving can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence. Considering how many drivers use text messaging and talk on cell phones, this is a terrifying statistic.
Texting and Driving Bans
Legislators have responded to our country’s great distracted driving epidemic by enacting a series of laws designed to punish drivers who text or chat on their cell phones. In 2010, Kentucky became the 22nd state to outlaw texting while driving.
Unfortunately, a variety of independent analyses conducted by reputable government traffic safety groups have suggested that these initial efforts have done very little to reduce accident rates. As a result, concerned public safety officials are vigorously searching for alternative solutions.
How can we put an end to the distracted driving epidemic without impinging unnecessarily on people’s freedoms?
This question is important, and it’s not easily resolved. But if you have been a victim in a distracted driving accident, you may face real and practical challenges in terms of collecting compensation for your car accident injuries, lost wages, vehicle damage, and so forth.
Distractions That Cause Automobile Collisions
It’s no secret that distracted driving is a leading cause of accidents, but what, exactly, are these “distractions?” Understanding these common causes can help prevent these deadly incidents.
Here are some of the most common distractions that lead to crashes:
- Texting and Phone Use: Texting, talking on, or using a smartphone is one of the most dangerous distractions for drivers. By taking your eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, and mind off your surroundings, you significantly increase the risk of a crash. The same NHTSA resource cited above states that “At 55 mph, taking your eyes off the road for 5 seconds (the average time to read a text) is equal to driving the full length of a football field with your eyes closed.
- Eating and Drinking: Eating or drinking while driving is another distraction that requires a motorist to take their hands off the wheel and pull their attention away from the road, increasing their likelihood of getting into an accident. Food and drink spills can also cause sudden distractions.
- Talking to Passengers: Chatting with passengers is a fun way to pass the time, but, especially in a crowded vehicle, it can divert your attention away from your driving and surroundings. This can be especially dangerous if you turn to look at passengers while talking.
- Electronics and In-Car Technologies: Tuning your radio or fiddling with climate control, GPS, or other electronic systems can divert your focus away from the road. Even the briefest moment of distraction can lead to an accident. Our modern vehicles come equipped with more and more advanced technology, even including touchscreens and voice-activated controls. While these can offer convenience, using them while you’re driving can be dangerous.
- Grooming: Tasks like applying makeup, brushing hair, or shaving are dangerous distractions when driving. They take your focus off the road and can lead to a loss of control of your vehicle.
- External Distractions: Even events or objects outside of your vehicle, like billboards, accidents on the side of the road, or scenic views, can take your eyes off the road, leading to crashes.
- Dealing With Children or Pets: Just like talking to passengers, turning around to check on children or pets behind you means that you’re not paying attention to the road.
- Reaching for Objects: Reaching out for an item in your car, like a dropped phone, purse, or item in the back seat, can cause you to take your eyes off the road and sometimes even your hands off the wheel, leading to a potential accident.
Distracted driving is a preventable hazard. Being aware of these common causes is the first step in reducing related accidents and keeping roads safer for us all. However, if this list of dangers reached you too late after you’ve suffered serious injuries or the wrongful death of a loved one, you may have a right to take legal action.
Speaking with a Louisville distracted driving accident lawyer will allow you to discuss the collision that injured you or a close family member and better understand any rights you may have. So, reach out to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys today.
The Importance of Hiring a Louisville Distracted Driver Accident Lawyer
Crashes caused by distracted driving can lead to severe injuries, significant property damage, and even death. If you’ve been involved in an accident caused by a distracted driver, especially if you’re still healing from injuries, navigating their aftermath can be frustrating and overwhelming.
Medical bills and insurance claims can pile up, and loss of income can further add to the emotional toll of an accident, adding more stress to an already difficult situation.
This is when you most need the help of an experienced distracted driving accident lawyer in Louisville.
Here’s why:
Understanding the Complexity of Kentucky Distracted Driving Cases
Wrecks caused by distracted motorists can be more complicated than they initially appear. Proving that the other driver wasn’t paying attention and that a distraction led to their accident can be challenging.
Proof often requires gathering evidence like phone records, eyewitness statements, and even surveillance footage. This is why you need a skilled attorney with experience and access to specialized resources to thoroughly investigate your accident. This is key in helping you prove that another driver’s distractions were indeed what caused the crash.
This expertise is crucial in building a strong case and ensuring maximum compensation.
Protecting Your Legal Rights
After you’ve been in an accident, you could be contacted by the other driver’s insurance company or lawyers. They might try to trick you into admitting that you were at fault for the crash, downplay the severity of your injuries, or attempt to get you to accept a “quickie” settlement offer that’s less than what you deserve.
A qualified attorney will handle all communication on your behalf, ensuring that your rights are protected, that you avoid making statements that could harm your case, and that all your losses are accounted for, including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future medical expenses.
They have the knowledge to accurately calculate the total value of your claim, ensuring that you receive the compensation you deserve for both your economic and noneconomic losses
Calculating the Value of Your Claim
Insurance companies often try to minimize their payouts by offering low settlements that don’t fully cover your expenses.
Navigating the Legal Process
The legal process can be complicated and time-consuming, especially if you’re unfamiliar with personal injury law. A Louisville distracted driver accident lawyer will guide you through every step of the process, from filing the necessary paperwork to representing you in court if necessary. Their experience in handling similar cases means they know how to navigate the legal system efficiently, allowing you to focus on your recovery or grieving your untimely loss.
Pursuing Maximum Compensation
The injuries and damages resulting from a distracted driving accident can have significant, even life-long consequences.
Our distracted driver accident attorneys will fight for maximum compensation to cover not only your immediate expenses but also any future costs associated with your injuries or losses, like long-term medical care, rehabilitation, and any impact on your ability to gainfully work and earn a living.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a motorist who wasn’t giving the operation of their vehicle their undivided attention when they struck you, it can be vital to work with a Louisville distracted driver accident lawyer who understands Kentucky personal injury and traffic laws.
Contact Thomas Law Offices today for a free and confidential consultation so we can discuss how we can put our wealth of resources to work for you to ensure you achieve the best possible outcome in your case.
Who We Are
Reviews
