Harford County Car Accident Lawyers
Distracted Driving Car Accidents
Driving is an activity that millions of people do every day. Unfortunately, people often forget that a car can cause serious damage and massive injuries if a driver’s attention is taken away from the road, even for a second. Every year, thousands of people are killed and hundreds of thousands more are injured in distracted driving car accidents in the United States. The rise in distracted driving is largely due to cell phone use and texting while driving, and the laws against these activities are just beginning to catch up with the ever-changing technology. While it may be tempting to multitask while driving, it jeopardizes your safety, as well as other drivers and pedestrians in your vicinity.
Examples of Distracted Driving
When a distraction causes a driver to take his or her hands of the wheel, their eyes off the road, or causes their mind to wander, things can quickly take a turn for the worse. Examples of behaviors that can cause a driver to become distracted include the following:
- Texting
- Talking on the phone
- Updating social media
- Eating or drinking
- Putting on makeup
- Reaching for something on the floor or in the back seat
- Disciplining children
- Checking the GPS
- Watching a video
From a legal perspective, distracted driving is defined as doing something while driving that is not necessary to operate the vehicle, and that could have a negative impact on a driver’s ability to safely drive the car. The state of Maryland prohibits all drivers from texting and using handheld devices while driving. For new, inexperienced drivers, the laws are even tougher as novice drivers may not use a cell phone while driving, regardless of whether it is handheld or hands-free. The laws against texting while driving also apply to the use of gadgets in general, which include the use of smartphones for emailing, web browsing, apps, and social media. Law enforcement may make an exception if the cell phone was being used to make an emergency call.
Proving Negligence in Distracted Driving Wrecks
If someone is seriously injured in a wreck caused by a distracted driver, the person responsible may be held liable for damages. In addition to getting a traffic ticket, the distracted driver who caused the accident may be sued by the injured driver. In cases like this, the driver’s cell phone can be used as evidence that he or she was talking or texting at the time of the car accident. This evidence can result in potentially large settlement amounts.
Even if someone else causes the crash, if the person hit was using a cell phone at the time of the accident, this could constitute contributory negligence, meaning that the use of the mobile device contributed to the car accident. If it can be proven that the plaintiff was using his or her cell phone when the accident occurred, it may bar them from receiving any compensation for their injuries.
Harford County Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Represent Victims of Distracted Driving Accidents
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident involving a distracted driver, you may be eligible for compensation. The Harford County car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton are on your side and will work closely with you to determine the best legal course of action based on the circumstances surrounding your accident. Our dedicated team will make your case a top priority and ensure that your rights are protected throughout the entire process. We will not stop fighting for your until we have secured the maximum financial compensation you deserve. To schedule a free consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.
Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent car accident victims in Maryland, including those in Harford County, which includes the municipalities of Aberdeen, Bel Air, and Havre de Grace.
