Auto accidents can happen at any time and from a variety of causes. One of the most common reasons for car accidents today is distracted driving. Distracted driving is when a driver is not fully focused on driving their vehicle. Instead, they may be engaging in other activities such as texting, eating, talking to passengers, or adjusting their music. Unfortunately, this behavior has become increasingly prevalent in recent years, and auto accidents caused by distracted driving can result in serious injuries.
If you suffered injuries in an auto accident a distracted driver caused, you may obtain compensation to help cover your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages and losses. Reach out to an experienced auto accident injury lawyer in Nebraska to learn of your options to pursue compensation and get invaluable help throughout the process.
Distracted Driving Accident Statistics
Distracted driving is a serious issue that affects drivers of all ages and experience levels. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that distracted driving is a factor in about 10% of all fatal car accidents and 15% of all injury accidents. In a recent year, distracted driving was responsible for 3,142 deaths and 424,000 injuries.
Additionally, the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) reported that nearly 4,600 distracted driving accidents occurred throughout the state in a recent year. Of those, nearly 1,500 people suffered serious injuries, and 19 people died.
What Are the Risks of Distracted Driving?
The consequences of distracted driving can be severe and long-lasting. When drivers take their eyes off the road or their hands off the wheel, they are more likely to lose control of their vehicle, miss important traffic signals or road signs, and fail to react quickly to changing driving conditions. This can lead to serious accidents, including head-on collisions, rear-end crashes, and rollover accidents.
Injuries sustained in auto accidents caused by distracted driving can range from minor cuts and bruises to life-altering injuries such as traumatic brain injuries (TBI), spinal cord injuries, and amputations. Victims of distracted driving accidents may require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and ongoing care. They may also experience significant emotional and financial stress due to lost wages, medical bills, and other expenses.
To prevent distracted driving accidents, it is important for drivers to be aware of the dangers and take steps to avoid distractions while driving. This includes avoiding the use of electronic devices such as smartphones and GPS systems, refraining from eating or drinking while driving, and keeping conversations with passengers to a minimum. If a driver needs to use a phone or GPS system while driving, they should pull over to a safe location before doing so.
In addition, passengers can also play a role in preventing distracted driving accidents. Passengers can help keep drivers focused by refraining from engaging in distracting activities, offering to help with navigation, and speaking up if they notice the driver becoming distracted.
Distracted driving is a serious issue that can result in auto personal injury accidents. To prevent these accidents, drivers must stay focused on the road and avoid distractions while driving. Passengers can also help by offering support and assistance to drivers. By working together to promote safe driving practices, we can reduce the number of auto accidents caused by distracted driving and keep our roads safe for everyone.
Nebraska’s Distracted Driving Laws
Nebraska has laws against distracted driving. It is illegal for a driver to use a “handheld wireless device to read, write, or send communication while operating a motor vehicle.” Violators can receive fines of $200 for a first offense, $300 for a second offense, and $500 for three or more offenses. Drivers will also have three points taken from their driver’s licenses.
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What Types of Compensation Can I Get from a Distracted Driving Accident Claim?
Nebraska is a no-fault state for insurance purposes. This means that the at-fault driver is liable for any injuries or damages resulting from the crash they caused. To obtain compensation for your injuries and property damage, you will submit a claim to the at-fault driver’s insurance company with help from an attorney. Some types of compensation you could receive include:
- Medical expenses, including emergency services, ER costs, hospitalization costs, x-rays, surgery, and prescription medication, among others.
- Future medical expenses for the ongoing and future medical care you may need if your injuries result in a permanent disability or require long-term care.
- Rehabilitation and therapy expenses, which can include assistive devices and prosthetics.
- Lost income from missing work due to your injuries.
- Lost earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to work for a while or at all.
- Pain and suffering to compensate you for the ongoing pain you’re experiencing.
- Emotional distress and mental anguish for the adverse psychological effects your injuries have caused.
- Scarring and disfigurement if your injuries leave you with severe scars or loss of limb.
Additionally, spouses and certain other family members may pursue loss of consortium damages to compensate for the loss of intimacy, care, and support the injured or deceased victim once provided. You may also pursue wrongful death damages to help with funeral costs and burial expenses if the accident killed a close family member.
In certain rare cases, the court may award punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer and send a message to others not to engage in that sort of behavior.
Working with an experienced car accident attorney in Nebraska is the best way to determine the types and amounts of compensation you can seek. A lawyer can fully assess your claim, calculate your damages, and negotiate with the insurance company to get the full and fair settlement you deserve.
If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, your attorney can file a lawsuit on your behalf in civil court and represent you at trial to help you get the total amount of compensation you need.
How Long Do I Have to File a Distracted Driving Accident Lawsuit in Nebraska?
Nebraska allows injured parties four years from the date of their injury to file a lawsuit in civil court. If you don’t have an attorney file a lawsuit on your behalf within that time, the court may dismiss your case, and you will have no other legal recourse to pursue compensation.
It’s vital to contact an attorney as soon as possible to get started on your claim. Your attorney will need to gather a lot of evidence to support your case, and the process can take time.
Contact an Experienced Distracted Driving Auto Accident Attorney at Berry Law Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident caused by distracted driving, it’s essential to seek legal representation to ensure that you get the compensation you need to move forward. In such cases, having an experienced attorney who can fight for your rights is crucial.
Attorney Rachel Collins of Berry Law is dedicated to helping her clients every step of the way, from the initial consultation to the final settlement. She understands the challenges that victims of distracted driving accidents face and is committed to providing them with compassionate and personalized representation.
Don’t let an auto accident caused by distracted driving devastate your life. With the help of an experienced personal injury attorney like Rachel Collins, you can obtain the compensation you need to recover from your injuries and move forward with your life. Contact Berry Law today to schedule a consultation and learn how Rachel Collins can help you.
This information is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Contact an attorney for legal guidance and representation.
