Decatur Distracted Driving Car Accident Lawyer
Huntsville Distracted Driving Attorneys
We can help you in Madison, Morgan, Lawrence and Limestone Counties and the surrounding areas.
Distracted driving results in thousands of deaths and hundreds of thousands of injuries every single year. According to a NHTSA study, approximately 660,000 drivers operate cellphones or other electronic devices while driving. Drivers under the age of 20 make up the greatest percentage of distracted drivers. The attorneys at Ferguson & Ferguson have obtained millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for people who have been injured in car accidents, including ones caused by distracted driving. If a distracted driver caused an accident that harmed you or someone you love, our law firm can help you secure the maximum compensation you deserve in your case. Call now for your no-obligation free consultation with one of our car accident attorneys. Call 256-534-3435.
Distracted Driver Statistics
Did you know that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that approximately 10 percent of all injuries and fatalities are caused by distracted drivers.
- More than 25 percent of all deadly crashes caused by distracted drivers
involve drivers between the ages of 20 and 29. - Approximately ten percent of all deadly crashes are caused by teenage
distracted drivers. - over 500 pedestrians, cyclists and other non-motorists are killed in crashes
involving distracted drivers each year. - Around 400,000 people are injured each year in crashes involving distracted drivers.
- Over 3,000 people are killed each year in crashes involving distracted drivers.
- Texting while driving increases a driver’s risk of crashing six times more than the driver’s risk when drinking and driving.
- Using a cell phone while driving, regardless of whether it’s hands-free, delays a driver’s reaction time as much as driving with a legal blood alcohol limit of .08 percent.
What Is Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving is when a driver operates a motor vehicle while his or her focus is on something else. There are three types of distractions you may encounter when driving:
- Visual distractions: Activities or events that draw a driver’s eyes away from the roadway. Some examples of visual distractions include previous accidents on the side of the road, checking a child’s seat belt while driving, and electronic devices, such as a GPS or an in-vehicle entertainment system.
- Manual distractions: Activities or events that take a driver’s hands away from the steering wheel. Some examples of manual distractions include eating, drinking or putting information in into a GPS device.
- Cognitive distractions: Activities or events that draw the driver’s mind away from the task of driving. Examples of cognitive driving distractions are talking to or arguing with passengers, thinking about work, and daydreaming.
Causes of Distracted Driving Accidents
Any activity that diverts the driver’s attention while operating a motor vehicle amounts to distracted driving. Some of the most common – and dangerous – distractions include:
- Text messaging
- Eating or drinking
- Talking on a cell phone
- Checking social media
- Navigation systems
- Animals in your car
- Tuning the radio, CD player or iPod
- Talking with other passengers or tending to children
- Personal grooming tasks such as shaving, putting on makeup and brushing hair
- Smoking
- Eating and drinking
- Reading maps, newspapers or other printed materials
- Picking up dropped objects from the floor
- Looking away from the road
Distracted Driving Accidents
Distracted driving is the major cause in a wide variety of different types of auto accidents in Alabama. Some of the different types of auto accidents that are commonly the result of distracted driving behavior:
- Truck Accidents
- motorcycle-accidents
- Bicycle Accidents
- Rear-ended Accidents
- Head on Collisions
- Rollover Accidents
- Bus and Train Accidents
- Pedestrian Accidents
Distracted Driving Questions and Answers-FAQ’S
How can the Decatur distracted driving lawyers help me?
Our Decatur and Huntsville distracted driving accident lawyers play a crucial role in safeguarding your rights when you become a victim of a distracted driver. At Ferguson & Ferguson, we understand the importance of seeking compensation for your injuries and losses while you focus on your recovery. Our dedicated legal team works tirelessly to hold negligent drivers accountable for their actions and prove that their distracted behavior led to the accident.
When a driver fails to exercise their duty of care and causes an accident, it can be classified as negligence. As experienced attorneys, we are well-equipped to handle distracted driving accident cases and thoroughly investigate every aspect of the incident. Our attention to detail includes gathering evidence to establish that the other driver was indeed distracted at the time of the accident.
By collaborating with us, you can rest assured that we will build the strongest possible case on your behalf. Our ultimate goal is to ensure you receive full compensation for your injuries and losses. This entails not only covering your medical bills and lost wages but also addressing any potential long-term impacts on your future earning capacity.
By entrusting your case to Ferguson & Ferguson, you can make healing from the accident your primary focus. We are committed to defending your rights, holding the responsible party accountable, and securing the compensation you deserve.
What is the statute of limitations for distracted driving cases in Alabama?
In Alabama, the statute of limitations for distracted driving crashes is two years from the date of the accident. Within this time frame, individuals involved in such accidents must either settle their claim or file a lawsuit against the responsible driver. Additionally, if someone wishes to bring a wrongful death action against a negligent driver, they also have two years from the date of the accident that caused the loss of their loved one to take legal action.
How do you prove someone liable for distracted driving in Alabama?
In a distracted driving accident case, proving negligence is crucial to seeking just compensation for the injuries and losses sustained. Negligence can be established through diligent investigation and gathering of evidence. At our law firm, we are committed to building a strong case on your behalf by thoroughly examining various factors that point to the other driver’s distracted state at the time of the accident.
To determine negligence, our experienced attorneys meticulously analyze crucial elements of the accident scene. We pay close attention to details such as cell phone activity, which can be indicative of distracted driving. By examining phone records or gathering witness statements, we can establish if the driver was engaged in phone usage during the accident.
Additionally, we consider physical evidence that could reveal distractions, including any spilled food found on the driver’s lap or seat. Such evidence can suggest that the driver was not focusing on the road due to engaging in eating or drinking activities.
Furthermore, our legal team carefully evaluates the presence or absence of skid marks or any indication that the driver attempted to brake. The absence of skid marks may imply that the driver did not make a prompt effort to avoid the collision, possibly due to being distracted by something inside the vehicle.
Discovery of a phone on the floorboards or front seat can serve as strong evidence supporting the argument of a distracted driver. This finding, combined with other corroborating evidence, can significantly contribute to proving negligence.
Witness statements play a crucial role in substantiating claims of distracted driving. We diligently interview witnesses to obtain their accounts of the accident, aiming to establish that the driver was distracted at the time.
By conducting a thorough investigation and gathering relevant evidence, our legal team strives to create a compelling case that proves negligence on the part of the distracted driver. Our goal is to hold the responsible party accountable and secure fair compensation for your injuries and losses, including medical bills, lost wages, and any impacts on future earning capacity. Your well-being and recovery remain our top priorities throughout the legal process.
What injuries can you suffer in a distracted driving accident case?
Distracted driving accidents have the potential to inflict various injuries on individuals and their loved ones. Negligent drivers can cause a range of severe injuries, including but not limited to broken and fractured bones, burns resulting in scarring, spinal cord injuries leading to paralysis, traumatic brain injuries, and even wrongful death. These injuries highlight the gravity of distracted driving and emphasize the importance of practicing safe and attentive driving habits.
What are the different ways you can be distracted while driving?
There are several types of distracted driving that are commonly seen in Huntsville. Each type poses significant risks and can potentially lead to accidents and injuries. These types include:
1. Manual Distractions: This type of distraction occurs when a driver’s hands are taken off the wheel. Examples of manual distractions include adjusting radio dials, reaching for objects next to or behind them, eating, drinking, or grooming while driving.
2. Visual Distractions: Visual distractions involve anything that diverts a driver’s eyes away from the road. This can include activities like reading or glancing at a text message, looking at a map or GPS, or even turning around to talk to passengers.
3. Cognitive Distractions: Cognitive distractions occur when a driver’s mind is not fully focused on the task of driving. Engaging in activities that mentally divert attention, such as talking on the phone (handheld or hands-free), daydreaming, or being involved in emotionally charged conversations, can all lead to cognitive distraction.
It is important to note that these types of distractions are not mutually exclusive, and a single action can involve multiple types at once. For example, texting while driving encompasses all three types – it requires the driver to use their hands to operate the phone, their eyes are focused on the messages, and their mind is engaged in the conversation.
By understanding the different types of distracted driving, we can better grasp the potential dangers they pose on the roads of Huntsville. It is crucial for all drivers to be aware of these distractions and prioritize safe driving practices to protect themselves and others on the road.
Contact an Alabama Distracted Driving Lawyer Today
The personal injury lawyers at Ferguson & Ferguson represent people injured by distracted drivers. If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a wreck caused by a distracted driver, we can help. Call the Alabama distracted driving accident attorneys at 256-534-3435 or fill out our online contact form for a free case evaluation. We represent victims of distracted driving accidents in all counties in Alabama and the Southeast.
Huntsville Office Location:
303 Williams Avenue SW
Suite 321
Huntsville, AL 35801
Decatur Office Location:
211 Oak Street NE
Decatur, AL 35601