Distracted driving accidents are a leading cause of injury and death in Ohio and around the United States. Suffering an injury from a distracted driving accident can be incredibly frustrating. Distracted driving accidents result from the driver’s failure to pay adequate attention to the road. Many drivers think they can safely drive while texting or using an electronic device. The simple truth is that attempting to drive while multitasking is extremely dangerous.
If you’ve suffered an injury caused by a distracted driver in Cincinnati, you might be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Under Ohio law, negligent drivers are liable for injuries caused by their negligent driving. It is essential to speak with an experienced, distracted driving lawyer as soon as possible to schedule your initial consultation. Contact Jones Kahan Law, LLC today to schedule your initial consultation.
Distracted driving includes any activity that takes a driver’s attention away from driving. In 2018, distracted driving caused 2,841 deaths, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That year, over 400,000 people suffered injuries involving distracted drivers. Between 2010 and 2016, an average of over 400,000 people became injured each year due to distracted driving. Despite significant public awareness campaigns, distracted driving continues to cause death and injuries.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1,000 people become injured every day in car accidents involving a distracted driver. Additionally, nine people are killed every day in the United States due to distracted driving. There are three main categories of distracted driving: visual, manual, and cognitive.
Visually distracted driving involves taking your eyes off the road. Manual distracted driving happens anytime the driver takes his or her hands off the wheel. Finally, cognitive distraction occurs when the driver takes his or her mind off of driving. Daydreaming while driving is an example of cognitive distraction.
In 2017, cell phone use accounted for 14 percent of all fatal crashes related to distracted driving. Text messaging and checking social media while driving causes a significant number of motor vehicle accidents every year. Sending one text message takes 5 seconds. During that time, a driver who is driving at a speed of 55 miles-per-hour will cover the length of an entire football field.
If you’ve suffered an injury caused by distracted driving, you will need to prove that the other driver was at fault. Whether you plan on submitting a personal injury lawsuit or filing a claim with your insurance company, you’ll need to prove that the other driver’s negligence or recklessness caused the accident that resulted in your injury.
All Ohio drivers owe other drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians a duty of reasonable care. A duty of reasonable care is a legal obligation to avoid taking action or engaging in inaction to avoid harming other people. Drivers who breach their duty of care are liable for any injuries caused by their negligence. The liable driver has a legal responsibility to pay damages for an accident.
At Jones Kahan Law, LLC, we conduct a thorough investigation into our clients’ cases. We have the resources needed to find all of the relevant evidence. We’ll find evidence that proves that the defendant breached his or her duty of care and caused the accident that resulted in your injuries. Distracted driving is an example of breaching the duty of care.
As the injured party, you will need to prove that the other driver was driving while distracted. There are several ways to present evidence proving distracted driving. We can often use police reports of the accident to determine liability. If the police arrived at the accident scene, they likely filed a police report. The police report often includes detailed information about the accident and evidence as to who was to blame for the accident.
The driver might have a record of sending or receiving text messages right before the accident. CCTV or other video footage may show the driver being distracted. In some cases, witness testimony will prove that the defendant was driving while distracted when the accident happened. Specialists can also put together a reconstruction of the accident.
At Jones Kahan Law, LLC, we work hard to find all available evidence to prove that the distracted driver caused your injuries. We will investigate your crash and find any available evidence showing that the other driver was texting while driving or engaged in other negligent behavior. Our experienced lawyers will help you hold them accountable for causing your injuries.
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