Drivers today are presented with a seemingly endless amount of distractions. From cell phones to GPS navigation systems, there are plenty of distractions that can pull our eyes from the road.
If another driver hit you because they were paying attention to someone or something else when their eyes should have been on the road, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, damaged property, and more.
Contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC to find out how a Seattle distracted driving accident lawyer can help you with your case. Call our offices at (844) 730-0233.
Cell Phones and Distracted Driving
Distractions are anything that takes our attention away from our driving, including habitual activities like eating, drinking, and adjusting the radio. All it takes is looking away from the road for a few seconds to cause an accident.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), checking a text message takes about five seconds. Traveling at 55 miles per hour, that is long enough to drive the length of a football field, all while looking at your phone instead of at where you are going.
Cell phone usage is a major driving distraction, which is why many states, including Washington, have laws restricting their use. According to the Washington State Patrol (WSP), the Driving Under the Influence of Electronics Act was passed in 2017 as part of the state’s Target Zero goal to end traffic fatalities and injuries. If you use a hand-held electronic device while behind the wheel in Washington, you risk receiving a ticket.
If you believe your accident was caused by another driver who was paying attention to their phone or another distraction, you can hold them responsible for their negligent driving.
For a free legal consultation with a distracted driving accidents lawyer serving Seattle, call (844) 730-0233
Seeking Compensation
You may be wondering how to get help with the costs associated with your accident, especially if the crash was not your fault. A Seattle distracted driving accident lawyer can help you start the process by working with the other driver’s insurance company.
You should begin your insurance claim immediately. To do so, you will need to make sure your accident was reported to the authorities. If an officer was not called to make an investigation at the time of your accident, you will need to report the crash within four days of when it occurred, according to the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL).
Insurance claims can be complicated, which is why working with a lawyer can benefit you. A lawyer can fight for you if the insurer attempts to deny your claim or diminish your payout. In the event the driver who caused your accident does not carry enough insurance to cover your damages, or the driver was not insured, a lawyer can help you seek justice in a civil lawsuit.
Seattle Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
What Can You Recover?
Car accidents often result in the need for immediate medical attention. Transportation by ambulance and emergency room care can be costly. If you needed emergency treatment, a Seattle distracted driving accident lawyer can help you seek damages.
If you did not require treatment at the time of your accident, but later realized you were hurt, a lawyer can help you pursue compensation for doctor visits, medications, physical therapy, or any other necessary care. You may also be entitled to backpay for any time you missed at work because of your injuries, and the costs of fixing or replacing your vehicle.
Not all damages are as easy to calculate as medical bills and lost wages. An attorney can help you pursue non-economic damages, as well. These are awards that are harder to measure, such as the emotional strain caused by your accident.
If you lost a family member in a distracted driving accident, you can file a lawsuit for compensation for their final medical expenses, burial costs, pain and suffering, and more. You may also be awarded damages for your loss of financial and emotional support.
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Do Not Wait Too Long
Working with an attorney can ensure you do not exceed the time limits established by the statute of limitations. If your case cannot be resolved through insurance, you have three years to start legal proceedings. It is also important to understand that even if your own actions played a role in your crash, you may still qualify for partial compensation under Washington’s contributory fault statute, RCW 4.22.005.
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Ben Crump Law, PLLC Can Help
Checking a text message or making a phone call is no excuse for taking your eyes off the road. Neither are other distractions like searching for your favorite song on the radio or checking your appearance in the mirror as your car speeds down the highway. Drivers who engage in these and other distracting behaviors are putting themselves and others at risk.
At Ben Crump Law, PLLC, we believe that when people are negligent behind the wheel, they should pay for any harm they cause. We will work hard to make sure the driver who hurt you is held responsible and pays their rightful share of the costs of your accident. You should not be stuck with expensive medical bills and vehicle repairs if you were hurt because of someone else’s mistake.
Reach out to our team to see how a Seattle distracted driving accident lawyer can get started on your case. We offer free consultations, and if you choose to work with our firm, we will handle your case on a contingency basis. You pay nothing unless we achieve a settlement for you. Call the offices of Ben Crump Law, PLLC today at (844) 730-0233.
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