Some of the most serious traffic accidents occur because of distracted driving. In 2022, there were 3,308 fatalities throughout the country because of a distracted driver. Despite all of the laws in place to prevent this problem, these crashes continue to occur.
If you’ve been involved in a distracted driving car or truck accident in Charleston, WV that left you battling injuries, one of the options you may have is to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault party. At Farmer, Cline & Campbell Personal Injury Lawyers, our team of Charleston car accident lawyers can help you understand distracted driving accidents. Contact us today by calling (304) 346-5990 for a free initial consultation.
How Farmer, Cline & Campbell Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After A Distracted Driving Accident In Charleston, WV
Car accidents in Charleston, West Virginia can leave you struggling with all manner of injuries that require medical care and could prevent you from going to work and living your life normally. Whether you’ve suffered catastrophic injuries or minor ones, you may be entitled to compensation if the other party was distracted while behind the wheel.
At Farmer, Cline & Campbell Personal Injury Lawyers, our Charleston personal injury attorneys can assist you in fighting for fair compensation. We can provide:
- A full assessment of your claim
- An investigation of the accident
- Negotiations with insurance companies
- Litigation, as needed
With years of experience, our attorneys can help you present a robust claim to demonstrate that you deserve compensation. We are available 24/7 to ensure that those who need assistance can receive it promptly. Contact our team of lawyers to schedule a free consultation.
Understanding Distracted Driving And Why It’s So Dangerous
Distracted driving refers to someone who operates a vehicle while performing any other activity. The most common distraction is using a phone for texting, scrolling through social media, or just talking. People often think that speaking on the phone is safe as long as they do it in hands-free mode, but that’s not the case. You can still be distracted by the conversation.
Driving a motor vehicle requires a person’s full attention. Your eyes must remain on the road, and your hands must stay on the wheel. Looking away to send or read a text may only take a few seconds, but that’s enough to cause serious collisions.
To combat the problem, West Virginia passed laws in 2012 that prohibit texting while driving or using your phone in any way but in hands-free mode. Novice drivers aren’t allowed to use their phones at all while operating a vehicle.
But your phone is just one of many potential distractions. Others include:
- Changing the radio station or looking down at the GPS
- Turning to look at a passenger
- Engaging in self-grooming, like applying makeup
- Eating or drinking
Distracted driving can be particularly common among truck drivers since they spend so many hours behind the wheel. This makes them more likely to start focusing on the billboard signs along the road or to look at their phones as they drive.
Steps To Take After A Charleston Distracted Driving Accident
After being in an accident, the first thing that you need to do is seek out medical care. It’s common for people not to notice that they’ve suffered injuries while they’re still in shock from the accident. Having a medical professional assess you is a good way to ensure that you get the immediate help you need.
After your health is taken care of, you also need to call law enforcement. You’ll have to use a police report to file a claim, so getting an officer to the scene is vital. Make sure that you provide as much information as you can about how the accident occurred.
You’ll also have to exchange information with the other driver. Don’t talk about the accident or mention fault. Immediately after that, you should start gathering as much evidence as possible from the scene. Take pictures and videos and speak with eyewitnesses to get their statements or contact information.
Next, you should let your insurer know that you’ve been in an accident. When you do so, remember to stick to the facts and not offer too much information just yet. You’ll need to consult with an attorney first so that they can help you with your insurance claim.
Contact Our Charleston Car Accident Lawyers For A Free Consultation
After suffering an injury in a collision that a distracted driver caused, it’s important to have experienced Charleston car accident lawyers ready to guide you through the personal injury claims process. At Farmer, Cline & Campbell Personal Injury Lawyers, we have decades of experience helping the people of West Virginia. Contact us to schedule a free consultation.
