Jersey City Distracted Driving Accident Attorneys

Did you get hurt in a car accident in Jersey City? Was it due to the actions of a distracted driver? If so, contact the Jersey City car accident lawyers of Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers to discuss your legal options. You might be entitled to compensation from an insurance claim or lawsuit.

Your New Jersey personal injury attorneys understand how traumatic it can be when a car crash occurs. It’s scary, and dealing with the aftermath can cause significant stress. It’s even worse when you find out it’s something entirely preventable. The careless driver became distracted by something other than the task at hand and caused your injuries. They should be held liable for what they’ve done and suffer the consequences.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration collected data from 2019 to determine the dangers of driver distraction. They found that 3,142 people died in vehicle-related crashes involving distracted driving. No one should lose their life or suffer severe injuries because another person decided to behave recklessly behind the wheel. You have a right to pursue legal action and recover the compensation you need to heal.

To learn more about our legal services or for a free consultation, call Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers at (201) 583-5765 today and speak with one of our Jersey City distracted driving accident attorneys.

What Causes Distracted Driving?

Many people don’t think distractions are dangerous. They have busy schedules and believe it’s necessary to multi-task while driving to work or running errands. They might send a quick email or apply makeup behind the wheel of their car. Unfortunately, this is reckless behavior that can lead to devastating accidents.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are three types of distractions:

Manual distractions are tasks that take a person’s hands off the steering wheel to do something else. Drivers have less control over their vehicles when they’re performing other tasks and driving one- or no-handed. Common examples of manual distractions include:

• Composing a text or email
• Drinking
• Eating
• Reaching for an object in the car

Visual distractions are actions requiring a person’s eyes to focus on something other than the road. Texting is a common visual distraction. When someone reads or sends a text message, they can travel the entire length of a football field in five seconds if they’re going 55 miles an hour. The most common visual distractions are:

• Reading a text
• Looking at GPS
• Turning to talk to a passenger
• Reading the newspaper

Cognitive distractions are things that direct the driver’s attention away from the task of driving. The most common types of cognitive distractions include:

• Daydreaming
• Road rage behaviors
• Worrying about a family member
• Caring for or disciplining children in the car

You deserve to hold the other driver accountable for the suffering you were forced to endure. If they became distracted while driving and caused the crash, you could file a claim or lawsuit to seek the compensation you need to afford your medical treatment and other expenses. Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers is available 24/7 to take your call and discuss your legal needs.

Handling the Aftermath of a Distracted Driving Accident

Car crashes can be disorienting, especially immediately afterward. You might be in shock and don’t know what you should do next. However, it’s crucial to follow these steps to protect your rights, so you don’t lose your chance to hold the at-fault driver liable.

The two most important things to do first are to hire an experienced Jersey City distracted driving accident attorney and seek medical care for your injuries. Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers can take on the responsibility of your case while you’re attending your doctor’s appointments. Insurance companies typically look for someone else to blame so they can avoid paying a settlement. We can investigate the crash and obtain the necessary evidence to prove their policyholder was at fault.

However, we won’t be able to do that if there aren’t adequate medical records. While we’re handling your case, you should follow up with all your medical providers regularly. Gaps in treatment are valid reasons for the insurance company to deny your claim or provide a low settlement offer. If there’s an ongoing timeline of treatment you sought after the accident, it will be difficult for them to challenge whether you were hurt.

Preparing a case for an insurance claim or lawsuit doesn’t just mean gathering evidence. It’s also critical that you avoid common mistakes people make. If you say or do the wrong thing, it could negatively affect the outcome of your claim. The most common pitfalls people face following car accidents are:

• Admitting fault. Never admit that your actions might have contributed to the crash, even if you believe they did. New Jersey follows a modified comparative negligence rule. That means a jury could diminish your compensation if they determine you share fault for your injuries.
• Posting on social media. You might think what you’re posting online is harmless, but it could ruin your chance of securing a financial award. Believe it or not, insurance companies and defense attorneys look at an accident victim’s social media accounts for evidence that works to their advantage. If they find a photo contradicting the injury you claimed to suffer, you could end up with no money at the end of your case.
• Signing documents from the insurance company. If they send you forms to complete, forward them to us first. One of the most common mistakes accident victims make is signing documents they don’t understand. The language can be confusing and could waive your right to hold the at-fault driver liable.
• Skipping appointments. It’s normal to miss a doctor’s appointment every once and a while. People have busy schedules. However, don’t make a habit of it. Significant gaps in treatment show the insurance company that your injury isn’t severe or doesn’t exist at all.

The Jersey City distracted driving accident attorneys of Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers can guide you through the entire process, so you know what to expect. We want to ensure you’re happy with the results we achieve and can recover from your injuries and move forward with your life.