Lanham distracted driving accidents share many common characteristics with other motor vehicle wrecks. They can lead to a wide range of injuries, they affect people throughout Maryland, and they are entirely preventable. However, despite public awareness campaigns and high-profile accidents, drivers in Lanham, Maryland, still choose to drive while distracted.
The Lanham car accident lawyers at Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers understand the injuries and scars that victims in distracted driving crashes can face. These include not just broken bones and internal injuries but also emotional and mental suffering. Learning about these accidents can help you take decisive action if you become hurt. Contact us today at (301) 936-0011 for a free consultation.
How Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Distracted Driving Accident in Lanham, MD
Just because you were hurt in a crash and saw the other driver on their cell phone does not mean obtaining the compensation you need will be easy or even guaranteed. Our Lanham car accident attorneys know that proving the necessary legal elements to prevail in a damages claim can be stressful and time-consuming.
We are here to help you with:
- Identifying, preserving, and collecting the evidence you need to prove liability
- Answering questions from insurance adjusters, law enforcement officers, and attorneys
- Speaking with your medical providers and gathering records to prove the extent of your injuries and anticipated losses
- Forcefully negotiating an appropriate settlement that fairly compensates you
- Appearing in court to present your case to a judge or jury when necessary
Contact us today if you have been injured in any car wreck in Lanham, MD. We have years of experience helping drivers, passengers, and others affected by distracted driving and other driving errors successfully assert their legal rights.
What Is Distracted Driving?
Driving is a deceptively complex task, requiring a driver to keep their attention on the road, their hands on the wheel, and their feet on the pedals to travel safely. Anytime a driver’s mind or body is not fully engaged with these various tasks, that driver is considered distracted.
Common examples of distracted driving in Maryland include:
- Talking or texting on a cell phone while the vehicle is in motion
- Attempting to adjust the car’s seat or system settings while driving
- Trying to split one’s attention between a GPS navigation system and the road
- Eating food, especially messy food or anything requiring a fork or spoon
- Applying makeup or changing clothes while driving
These and similar tasks are distracting because the driver must take their focus away from the road or their hands and feet off the vehicle’s controls. Severe or fatal crashes can happen even if the driver is distracted for just a few seconds.
Distracted Driving Is a Significant Issue in Maryland
It is estimated that distracted driving plays some role in as many as 45 percent of all Maryland traffic accidents. This troubling statistic highlights just how widespread and dangerous inattentive driving has become across the state.
Distractions can take many forms—from texting or talking on the phone to adjusting the radio, using navigation apps, eating, or even engaging with passengers. Regardless of the source, taking your attention off the road for even a few seconds can lead to devastating consequences, including serious injuries or fatalities.
As the number of distracted driving incidents continues to rise, Maryland law enforcement and public safety campaigns are working diligently to raise awareness and hold negligent drivers accountable.
Maryland Law Makes Distracted Driving Illegal
It is against state law for drivers in Lanham to text or use a handheld electronic device while driving. Proof of distracted driving can lead to a fine, but it is also an example of negligent conduct that can lead to civil liability. Because no reasonably careful driver would violate a safety law, driving while distracted is a negligent act.
This alone does not make a distracted driver liable for your injuries. You must still prove that your crash would not have happened if the other driver had not been distracted. You must also prove the extent of your injuries and support the amount of compensation you are requesting by providing medical bills, wage statements, and other evidence of your losses.
Contact Our Lanham Car Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Being injured in an avoidable distracted driving crash can leave you feeling confused at a time when you need to be thinking clearly. When you hire a lawyer at Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers, we will come alongside you and support you as you recover from your ordeal. We work hard to hold distracted drivers accountable for their actions.
Learn more about how our services can benefit you and get started with your claim by contacting our Lanham car accident lawyers today to request a free initial consultation.
