Hit By A Distracted Driver in Maryland?
Send the at-fault driver a strong message. Contact Goldberg Finnegan
Drivers need to stay focused at all times on the road. Otherwise, they can cause serious car accidents that result in severe injuries. This is why distracted driving is such a problem. All it takes is a split second for a distracted driver to cause a collision that can change people’s lives forever.
Our distracted driving accident attorneys at Goldberg Finnegan in Silver Spring, Maryland know this all too well. For years, we have been helping people demand justice after being involved in crashes caused by distracted drivers. Many of these collisions are caused by texting drivers. But they’re not the only ones wreaking havoc on Maryland’s roads and highways.
Whatever the circumstances of your collision, our legal team can help. We know the laws that apply to texting while driving and other forms of distracted driving in Maryland. We know how to access cellphone records and other evidence. That’s why we have such a strong track record of success. Put our knowledge and skills to work for you. Contact us today.
What is distracted driving?
More than 3,000 people each year die in car accidents caused by distracted drivers, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Distracted driving is a term used to describe any activity that diverts a driver’s attention away from the road. Examples of distracted driving include:
- Texting while driving.
- Talking on a cellphone while driving.
- Looking up directions or operating a GPS while driving.
- Eating while driving.
- Adjust the radio.
Even talking while driving can be distracting, especially for younger, less experienced drivers. Several traffic safety studies have found that teenage drivers are more likely to be involved in a collision if other teenagers are in the car at the same time.
Understanding the different categories of distraction
Another way to understand distracted driving is to classify different types of distractions into three distinct categories:
- Visual distractions – Anything that takes a driver’s eyes off the road.
- Manual distractions – Anything that requires a driver to take their hands off the steering wheel.
- Cognitive distractions – Any activity that diverts a driver’s attention away from driving.
Texting and driving accidents
One of the reasons why texting and driving is so dangerous is because it involves all three types of distracted driving – visual, manual, and cognitive. This is why texting while driving is against the law in Maryland and pretty much every state in the United States.
Even so, many drivers continue to text while driving, resulting in serious and fatal collisions each year. Specifically, an estimated 7.6 percent of fatal crashes in Maryland are caused by distracted drivers annually, according to the NHTSA.
What damages can I pursue after a crash?
First, it’s important to understand how Maryland’s car insurance system works. The state has an at-fault system. That means the at-fault party (often the at-fault driver’s insurance company) must pay injury victims for all their accident-related expenses, including:
- Cost of all medical care related to your distracted driving accident injury, including future medical treatments.
- Money to repair damage to your vehicle or buy a new one if it’s a total loss.
- Replacement income if you cannot work because you need time off to stay home to rest and recover.
- Lost future income if you have a permanent disability due to your accident which prevents you from working in the future.
The best way to know for sure is to talk to an experienced Maryland car accident lawyer who knows how to handle claims involving texting or distracted drivers.
We’re focused on winning your case.
Claims involving distracted drivers might seem straightforward, especially if a driver was texting and crashed into your car on I-495 or a busy street in Silver Spring or Prince George’s County. Unfortunately, at-fault drivers sometimes deny doing anything wrong. Worst of all, their insurance companies often take their side and do everything they can to reduce or deny your injury claim.
Our Maryland distracted driving lawyers can level the playing field. We know how to deal with insurance companies and can negotiate a settlement claim on your behalf. And if they refuse to cooperate, we will not hesitate to file a lawsuit on your behalf.
Put your trust in a law firm that puts your needs first. Contact us and schedule your free case evaluation. Our attorneys handle injury claims and lawsuits in Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, Howard County, Frederick County, Charles County, and other counties in Maryland.