Can Distracted Driving Cause a Side-Impact Accident?

Can distracted driving cause a side-impact accident in Arizona? Yes, distracted driving can easily cause a T-bone or side-swipe collision. In fact, distracted drivers cause many accidents around the state every year. 

However, you may only receive compensation if a lawyer shows that the distracted driver was liable for your collision. You can learn more about this process with our team at Zanes Law. Call us or complete our online contact form to get started.

How Does Distracted Driving Cause Side-Impact Accidents?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), distracted driving involves any accident that causes you to:

• Take your eyes off the road
• Take your hands off of the steering wheel
• Take your mind off of driving 

Drivers who remove their attention from the road, even for a few seconds, can end up in drastically changed situations. For example, distracted drivers may cause side-impact collisions when they: 

• Run a red light or stop sign to cross an intersection improperly 
• Make a turn into traffic without checking for other vehicles 
• Change lanes without looking at their blind spots 

Any form of distraction can have severe impacts on your life in Arizona. 

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What Distractions Cause the Most Accidents in Arizona?

Many kinds of distractions impact drivers in Arizona. Cell phones and other electronic devices represent one of the most significant distractions we see on the road. Drivers may take their attention off the road to:

• Send or read a text
• Take a call
• Use their phone’s navigation system
• Change a song on their song’s music system 

However, other kinds of distracted driving can cause side-impact accidents. For example, eating or drinking while driving can remove a driver’s attention from the road, as can paying too much attention to passengers in the vehicle. 

What Are the Consequences of Distracted Driving?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) records information about the severe consequences of distracted driving. According to the NHTSA, over 3,000 people lost their lives in distracted driving accidents in 2020. 

Many others sustained severe injuries due to side-impact accidents caused by distracted driving. Side-impact collisions have a reputation for causing injuries such as: 

• Broken bones, especially in the arms and legs 
• Head, neck, and back injuries 
• Injuries to internal organs 
• Cuts and abrasions 
• Soft tissue injuries 

Side-impact accidents caused by distracted driving can also result in damage to your vehicle. In addition, you may have to take time off work to recover from your injuries, and the accident can leave you with long-term pain and suffering. 

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Why Do Distracted Drivers Cause Side-Impact Accidents?

Can distracted driving cause side-impact accidents in Arizona? It can and frequently does. Distracted drivers miss stop signs or traffic signals and ignore other road signs due to their split attention. 

They may also cause side-impact collisions if they:

Drift Sideways While Distracted

Some drivers let go of their steering wheel or look at something else while driving. In this situation, their vehicle can start to drift across the lane. If drivers drift far enough, they can sideswipe another vehicle. 

Overcorrect After Looking Up from Their Distraction

Drivers may take their eyes off the road for several seconds when distracted by a phone or another object. Unfortunately, many distracted drivers panic when they look up and realize they’ve changed their position on the road or that they’ve gotten too close to another vehicle.

These drivers often overcompensation in the heat of the moment, jerking the wheel to try to avoid a collision. Unfortunately, the sudden movement can cause them to lose control of their vehicle, causing a side-impact crash. 

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How Do You Prove Distracted Driving Caused a Side-Impact Collision?

Claiming that another driver’s distraction caused your side-impact collision in Arizona is one thing; proving it can be another matter. In many cases, drivers work with side-impact collision lawyers for help establishing negligence in these cases. 

Lawyers may dig into the facts surrounding your accident to demonstrate another driver’s distraction. For example, a lawyer may request a driver’s cellphone records from the time of the accident to determine if they were on the phone. 

In addition to showing that another driver was distracted at the time of your accident, a lawyer must show that the driver directly caused the collision. Lawyers often handle this part of their investigation by: 

• Reviewing your police accident report
• Speaking with witnesses to the side-impact accident 
• Working with distracted driving accident experts 

Lawyers take different steps to investigate accidents based on the needs of their clients. 

Can You Get Damages for a Side-Impact Accident Caused by Distracted Driving?

Distracted driving can cause a side-impact accident in Arizona, and when it does, you may have a chance to secure funds to cover your losses. Many drivers receive damages to address their:

• Current and future healthcare expenses 
• Lost wages
• Diminished earning potential
• Vehicle repairs or the cost of a new vehicle 
• Pain, suffering, and mental anguish

The amount of compensation you receive could vary depending on the severity of your accident.

You may settle a claim with insurance agents after a side-impact accident caused by a distracted driver. Settling your claim allows you to secure compensation quickly in many cases while avoiding court fees. 

However, some drivers in Arizona decided to file a lawsuit after a collision involving a distracted driver. A lawyer can help you review the benefits of both of these options after your accident. 

Speak to Us After a Side-Impact Accident Involving Distracted Driving

Can distracted driving cause a side-impact accident in Arizona? Unfortunately, distracted drivers frequently cause collisions. However, you can build a claim after these accidents with a car accident lawyer from Zanes Law. 

Learn more about seeking damages by calling us or filling out our online contact form. 

Call or text 866-499-8989 or complete a
Free Case Evaluation form

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