Distracted driving can be just as deadly as drunken driving, but it is definitely more common. It has quickly become one of the most common causes of deadly accidents in Missouri. Whether the driver is looking at his/her phone, not holding the wheel to do something with his/her hands, and so forth, just a moment of distracted driving can lead to a crash and injury or death.
If you were the victim of a distracted driver, you are entitled to compensation for the medical bills, loss of income from work, and so on. The first step in getting peace and conclusion after this horrid experience is to call the KC car accident attorneys at Popham Law. We offer experience, compassion, and professionalism to help you hold the responsible individual(s) accountable.For a free consultation, call our KC law firm today at (816) 221-2288.
Examples of Distracted Driving Accidents
There are three general types of distracted driving, including:
- Visual
- Manual
- Cognitive
Some of the most common ways that drivers get distracted on Missouri roads include:
- Talking on (or simply using) the smartphone or cell phone and driving. As common as talking or texting on the phone is, this action is very dangerous as it takes the driver's eyes (visual), hands (manual), and mind (cognitive) off the road.
- Eating and drinking. When drivers eat and drink while driving, they are taking their hands off the steering wheel, and if they spill the food or drink, they can become especially distracted.
- Getting ready and grooming. Many drivers finish their grooming in the car, such as on the way to work. Combing hair or putting on makeup leaves drivers with insufficient time to react to dangers on the road.
- Following directions with GPS. Although many GPS devices and apps have hands-free modes and audio directions; however, when drivers are focused on their GPS, whether changing directions or looking for something nearby, their hands, eyes, and minds are off the road.
In addition to these common distractions that end up with deadly results, some other common (and deadly) distractions include fiddling with the vehicle's controls or another set of controls, talking to passengers in a distracting manner, reading, or even watching videos (it's hard to believe, but watching videos while driving is a growing problem).
Possible Injuries
Unfortunately, distracted driving can result in horrendous accidents, severe injuries, and death, and everyone from the distracted driver and his/her passengers to the other driver can be severely injured or killed in such an accident. In 2012, an estimated 421,000 people were injured in crashes involving a distracted driver, which is almost the entire population of Kansas City. In the years since this statistic came out, the frequency of smartphone use while driving certainly hasn't decreased.Victims of distracted drivers, that aren't killed, may be looking at extensive and long-lasting injuries, ranging from concussions and traumatic brain injuries to amputations, paralyzation, and more.
Distracted Driving and Missouri Law
Missouri law prohibits teenagers and drivers under 21 from texting and driving, and drivers caught texting while driving may be looking at a fine of $200 and 2 points added to the driver's driving record. Additionally, distracted teen drivers who got in an accident may lose their insurance coverage. Even if the insurance company doesn't cancel the policy, an accident caused by distracted driving can increase rates by 50 percent for three to seven years.
Compensation in a KC Car Accident Case
Whatever the cause of your accident may have been, the KC car accident attorneys at Popham Law will relentlessly help you pursue the maximum compensation available for any losses stemming from the wreck, including but not limited to:
- Medical bills, including surgery, prescriptions, and medical devices, among others
- Rehabilitation and any costs for lifestyle changes (such as wheelchairs, ramps, etc)
- Any calculated ongoing and future medical costs
- Lost wages from missing work while injured
- Loss of potential future earning capacity
- Funeral expenses if a death occurred
- Loss of consortium
- Grief counseling and therapy
- Pain and suffering
If the driver's negligent or wrongful actions were particularly egregious, then you may be entitled to punitive damages as well.
Call the Popham Law Firm for Your KC Accident Lawyers
As in many other states, Missouri recognizes the legal doctrine of "comparative negligence." This means that both parties can be liable for their percentage of fault. In a distracted driving case, however, a majority the legal fault is generally held by the distracted driver.Nevertheless, although it may seem like an open-and-closed case (hint: it never is), it's always essential to have the most experienced and talented personal injury attorneys on your side. With Popham Law, we'll relentlessly help you seek justice while holding the responsible party accountable for his/her actions.For a free consultation with the auto accident attorneys at Popham Law, call our KC personal injury law firm today at (816) 221-2288.
