Distracted driving has devastating consequences. If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a distracted driving accident, you might be entitled to damages through a personal injury or wrongful death claim.
Ben Crump Law, PLLC is here to help. Our team can assess the details of your case to determine whether you might be the victim of negligence and deserve compensation for your injuries or the wrongful death of your loved one. To see how a Cleveland distracted driving accident lawyer can help, call (844) 730-0233 for a free consultation.
Types of Distractions that Could Lead to an Accident
There are many potential distractions while driving, including eating, drinking, radio distractions, conversations and interactions taking place inside a car, physical distractions outside of the car, and of course, cell phones.
Many underestimate just how dangerous texting and driving can be, assuming that glancing at their phone quickly is not an issue. However, according to the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration (NHTSA), glancing at your phone for five seconds while traveling at 55 mph, is like traveling 300 feet with your eyes closed.
Tragically, a distracted accident at that speed can easily be fatal. In 2018, “there were 2,628 fatal crashes that occurred on U.S. roadways in 2018 that involved distraction (8% of all fatal crashes),” according to the NHTSA.
For a free legal consultation with a distracted driving accidents lawyer serving Cleveland, call (844) 730-0233
Cleveland Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
Steps to Take After a Distracted Driving Accident
There are several things you can do to protect your health and your right to compensation after an accident with a distracted driver.
- Report the accident to the police. They can draft an official accident report documenting the details of the incident that includes identifying information of the defendant that you will need.
- Get a copy of the driver’s license and insurance information.
- Make sure to write down any details or observations you have of the accident so that they are not quickly forgotten. This information could be helpful later in your case.
- Get the contact information of any witnesses at the scene. Ask them for any testimony they feel comfortable providing.
- Try to take pictures of both cars from all angles.
- Make sure to take pictures of any injuries. Taking pictures of each stage of an injury can document its progression and severity in court later, if necessary.
- Get medical care. If you did not receive emergency care at the scene, go to the emergency room or make an appointment with your physician as soon as possible.
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Proving Your Case
To be eligible for compensation, you must prove that the other driver was negligent and that their negligence infringed upon your right to drive freely and safely when they caused you to get into an accident in which you became injured.
When our team handles your case, we will use the evidence we gathered to establish the following:
- The other driver owed you a duty of care. All drivers owe other road users a duty to drive safely and keep them from undue harm.
- The driver breached that duty by driving while distracted.
- The driver’s breach caused your accident and injuries.
- You suffered damages.
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Compensation to Which You May Be Entitled
When you have suffered an injury in an accident, you deserve compensation for the losses you have incurred. The defendant should pay for your treatment and other damages, not you. A personal injury claim is intended to make sure that you are not further damaged by the incident. Though you have been physically hurt, there is no reason for you to also suffer financial harm. You may be entitled to recover both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are financial losses suffered from your injury. These financial losses are usually easy to keep track of and verify because they are often documented in some way. These include:
- Ambulance rides
- Hospital stays
- Doctor’s appointments, physical therapy
- Medicine
- Testing, x-rays, CT scans, etc.
- Lost wages from past and future work
Non-Economic Damages
These damages compensate for the physical losses and suffering you have endured. This might include:
- A decrease in quality of life
- Time and inconvenience of dealing with your injury
- Permanent injuries and/or lifelong complications
- Pain and suffering
Once our team has investigated your case, we can determine a fair value for your injuries and other losses.
Be Aware of Ohio’s Statute of Limitations
You have a limited time to file a lawsuit for your injuries in a Cleveland distracted driving accident. Per Ohio Revised Code (ORC) §2305.10, you generally have two years to file a lawsuit. Once the clock on your statute of limitations has run out, you may be unable to recover compensation, regardless of the severity of your injury or the significance of your losses.
Get Help from a Cleveland Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer Today
If you have been the victim of a distracted driver, the personal injury attorneys at Ben Crump Law, PLLC want to hear from you. It is not fair to suffer losses as a result of someone else’s negligence. If a distracted driver caused your injury, you deserve justice and compensation.
To speak to our team, call Ben Crump Law, PLLC at (844) 730-0233. We offer a free, no-commitment consultation. We are eager to hear your story and help you exercise your right to justice. Ben Crump Law, PLLC does not take any payment upfront. We work on a contingency basis, so we are not paid until we win a verdict or settlement for your case.
Call or text (844) 730-0233 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
