When you passed the teen driver, you noticed she was texting. Five minutes later, she had rear-ended you. Now, because someone could not wait to check the likes on her latest Instagram post, you are stuck in a neck brace, your car is in the shop, and you are missing days at work.
Distracted driving is a common catalyst for motor vehicle accidents. Stricter laws are imposing harsher consequences for drivers who engage in such behavior. That did nothing to stop the teen behind the wheel in your accident, though. Now you are stuck with the pain and the bills.
Rather than take on these burdens by yourself, consider seeking damages from the distracted driver’s insurance company, or you can take her parents to court. Zanes Law’s distracted driving accident lawyers in Phoenix, AZ can help. Call today at 602-999-9999 for a free consultation.
Distracted driving is a new term, born in the age of cell phones, texting, and social media. To be honest, though, the practice of driving while distracted originated the first time a person got behind the wheel of a motorized vehicle.
Any time a driver engages in an activity that diverts attention from driving, that person is driving while distracted. Examples of distracted driving include:
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) takes the problem of distracted driving very seriously. The organization conducts research and publishes reports on the subject in hopes of creating awareness and cutting the public’s nasty and dangerous habit.
Texting is of particular concern to the NHTSA, which reports that “sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds.”
“At 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed,” the report continues.
At Zanes Law, we would categorize that as rather negligent behavior, and if it results in a car accident, the distracted driver should pay for all damages.
Although no state has banned all forms of cell phone use by drivers, 14 states have banned talking on a handheld cell phone while driving. Drivers who violate this ban may be issued a citation for the offense.
In the state of Arizona, texting and driving are not illegal, except for when it comes to commercial drivers and beginner drivers. Violators are subject to temporarily losing their Arizona driving license privileges as well as a hefty fine.
Phoenix and Tucson have enacted their own laws related to distracted driving. Within these cities, a driver is forbidden to use a wireless telecom device within city limits. Violators will be cited and fined, regardless of whether the behavior results in an accident.
A distracted driving accident lawyer in Phoenix from Zanes Law will be familiar with these state and city laws and will use them to your advantage.
At the scene of the accident, you should focus on the following:
After the accident, be sure to note the following:
The personal injury team at Phoenix’s Zanes Law has been handling cases like yours for years. We attribute our success, in part, to our willingness to do all the heavy lifting while you focus on recovering.
Our team handles every aspect of your injury claim. We do everything from A to Z. For example, we:
Depending on your injuries, the property damage you sustained, the expenses you have paid, and the income you have lost—as well as the specifics of the accident itself—you could be eligible to receive a wide range of damages, including:
If you happen to lose a loved one in an accident caused in a distracted driving accident, you may also pursue a wrongful death claim. The legal team at Zanes Law will organize all your expenses and work with economic consultants to determine lost wages as well as diminished future earnings potential.
For a couple of reasons, you will want to act swiftly on pursuing your injury claim.
Call Zanes Law to speak to a distracted driving car accident lawyer in Phoenix. You can reach us at 602-999-9999. We take distracted driving seriously, and we will do everything from A to Z to make sure you are compensated for the expenses and losses you have endured because of this epidemic of negligence.
