Distracted Driving Accident Attorney in New York
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of auto accidents in New York. If you’ve been hurt in a crash caused by a distracted driver, you don’t have to face it alone. At James Alexander Law, our distracted driving accident attorneys in central New York handle all aspects of injury claims. We can help you pick up the pieces after a crash and pursue the compensation you need to get back on your feet.
What Is Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving happens any time a driver’s attention is taken away from the road, even just for a few seconds. Types of distraction include:
- Visual – Taking your eyes off the road
- Manual – Taking your hands off the wheel
- Cognitive – Taking your mind off driving
Unfortunately, many drivers engage in all three types of distractions at once. For example, texting and driving is one of the most dangerous behaviors while driving because your eyes, hands, and attention are focused on your phone, not the road.
Examples of Distracted Driving
While texting and driving is one of the most common types of distractions, there are countless ways in which a driver can be diverted from the task at hand, including:
- Using your phone to talk, text, email, or scroll social media
- Eating or drinking while driving
- Adjusting music, climate control, or GPS
- Putting on makeup
- Reaching for items on the floor or backseat
- Talking to passengers
- Dealing with kids or pets in the backseat
- Daydreaming or letting your mind wander
Even a brief distraction can cause a serious crash, especially in heavy traffic or when traveling at high speeds. Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for just five seconds, but if you’re traveling at 55 mph, it’s like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed. Our injury lawyers understand the devastating aftermath of distracted driving accidents. We’re dedicated to making things right for victims and their families.
Types of Distracted Driving Accidents
Distracted driving can lead to many different types of accidents, including:
Rear-End Collisions
By the time a distracted driver realizes the car in front has stopped or slowed, it’s often too late to avoid a crash. These accidents often happen at intersections and in heavy traffic. When they occur at high speeds or a smaller vehicle runs into the back of a large truck, the consequences can be deadly.
Side Impact Crashes
Running a red light or missing a stop sign because you’re distracted can result in serious T-Bone accidents. These collisions are particularly dangerous for occupants sitting on the side of the vehicle that’s hit.
Sideswipe Accidents
.It’s not uncommon for distracted drivers to drift out of their lane and hit another car, especially on highways.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Crashes
When someone isn’t paying attention to the road, they’re more likely to miss pedestrians crossing the street or bicyclists riding in bike lanes. Because they have no protection surrounding them, pedestrians and bicyclists often suffer catastrophic injury or death.
Fixed Object and Off-Road Accidents
Distracted driving can also result in a motorist veering off the road and hitting guardrails, trees, utility poles, and other stationary objects.
Common Injuries Sustained in Distracted Driving Accidents
Injuries sustained in distracted driving accidents can range from minor to catastrophic, depending on the type of crash and speed of the vehicles. Some common injuries include:
- Whiplash
- Soft tissue injuries
- Broken bones
- Back, neck, and spine injuries
- Paralysis
- Head injuries
- Facial injuries
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
Although they don’t happen as often, severe burns, disfigurement, crushed limbs or amputation, and psychological trauma that leads to conditions like PTSD can also result from being injured in a distracted driving accident. Serious injuries often require costly surgeries, hospital stays, and nursing care. Our distracted driving accident lawyers often work closely with medical experts and financial professionals to ensure an accurate valuation of your claim.
What to Do After a Distracted Driving Accident in New York
The moments following a car accident can be chaotic. However, staying calm and taking the following steps can protect your health and your rights.
Call 911 – Calling authorities ensures that the crash is documented. Make sure to tell police if you suspect the accident was caused by a distracted driver. Police reports provide valuable evidence that can help establish fault in a distracted driving accident.
Take photos – If possible, take pictures of vehicle damage, your injuries, the accident scene, traffic signals, and skid marks.
Obtain information – Gather the insurance and contact information of other drivers and witnesses. Their testimony can be invaluable when proving a distracted driving accident claim.
Stay calm and don’t admit fault – Stay calm and stick to the facts when speaking to police and anyone else at the accident scene. Do not say “I’m sorry” or “it was my fault,” as these words can be used against you by insurers down the road.
Seek medical attention – Even if you think you’re fine, go to the emergency room or urgent care to get checked out by a doctor. You may not be in pain or experience symptoms of some injuries right away, which can be deadly when it comes to conditions like internal bleeding. Your distracted driving accident attorney will also need medical proof of your injuries if you decide to file an injury claim.
Contact Our New York Distracted Driving Accident Lawyers
Attempting to handle insurance claims on your own can result in minimal settlement amounts or denials. Even your own auto insurance company isn’t really on your side – they all try to pay out as little as possible to protect their bottom line. Do not give a statement, sign anything, or accept a settlement without speaking to a distracted driving accident lawyer first. Our injury attorneys offer free case evaluations – we can assess your situation and advise you of your options for recovering compensation.
Why Choose Our Distracted Driving Accident Attorneys?
James Alexander Law is your local, experienced law firm that has helped more than 10,000 injury victims in New York over the last 40 years. We have a track record of success achieving substantial settlements and awards in cases involving distracted driving, motorcycle crashes, auto accidents, wrongful death, and more. Our team is familiar with the tactics insurance companies use to minimize your injuries and deny claims. We handle all communications and negotiations with insurers and don’t back down. Our injury lawyers can help you pursue compensation for medical bills, wage loss, pain and suffering, and other damages specific to your case.
Our distracted driving accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means you won’t incur any up-front costs and we don’t get paid unless we win your case. Our compassionate, tenacious injury lawyers stand by your side and keep you informed about your case every step of the way.
Our distracted driving accident attorneys serve clients in central New York, the Southern Tier, and surrounding areas, and offer two convenient locations in East Syracuse and Rochester.
Contact Our Distracted Driving Accident Lawyers to Schedule a Free Case Evaluation
At James Alexander Law, we treat our clients like family. To schedule a free consultation with a distracted driving accident attorney in central New York, contact us or call 1-800-529-1333.
