LAS VEGAS DISTRACTED DRIVING ATTORNEY
Distracted driving accidents are more common than ever before because almost everybody has mobile phones. These accidents happen most often because drivers were engaged in cell phone conversations, reading or sending texts, or browsing the internet. Other distractions can divert drivers’ attention, but mobile device usage is what people think of when they hear about a distracted driving accident. These cases can present specific challenges to people hurt by distracted drivers. An investigation led by a Las Vegas distracted driving attorney could uncover evidence crucial to winning an insurance settlement.
How Dangerous Is Distracted Driving?
Any activity that takes someone’s eyes off the road makes it impossible to respond to traffic effectively. Common sense aside, scientific studies have confirmed that mobile device usage by a driver is equivalent to alcohol impairment. According to the American Psychological Association, people have firm limits on how many things they can do at once without becoming blind to a portion of their environments. Over five years, a series of university studies in driving simulators proved that talking on a cell phone reduced driving performance.
Epidemiologists have concluded that talking on a mobile phone while driving quadruples the chances of getting into a wreck. People using mobile devices had slower reaction times to traffic events compared to drivers who had their attention on the road. Additionally, touch screens, navigation screens, and internet browsers installed in vehicle cabins appear to be distracting drivers.
How Is Distracted Driving Defined?
In the view of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, any activity that pulls your attention away from the road represents distracted driving. Psychologists have established three classifications of distraction, which are:
- Visual distraction (looking away from the road)
- Manual distraction (removing hands from the steering wheel)
- Cognitive distraction (thinking about something else)
Common distractions include:
- Talking on a cell phone
- Texting
- Internet browsing
- Social media browsing or posting
- Navigating an in-cabin touchscreen menu or radio
Distractions are not always technology-based, such as:
- Eating
- Interacting with passengers
- Interacting with pets
- Reading
- Grooming and applying makeup
- Rubbernecking
In Nevada, state law prohibits drivers from using handheld wireless communications. However, even hands-free devices can distract people even though state law does not designate that as a traffic violation. If you have been hurt by a distracted driver who was technically using a hands-free mobile device, a distracted driving attorney in Las Vegas may still be able to build a case that justifies your insurance claim. Compliance with the hands-free rule does not remove the possibility that a driver was distracted. Failing to pay attention to traffic and causing an accident still amount to driver negligence.
Finding Evidence of Distraction
Distracted drivers usually know full well that they were not paying attention, but many people will avoid admitting it. When mobile device usage is suspected, a Las Vegas distracted driving lawyer could request the driver’s cell phone data. The records from the mobile service provider may reveal that the person was sending or receiving a text, on the internet, or taking a call.
Other clues to distraction sometimes appear in the vehicle damage. An accident reconstruction specialist could draw conclusions from the angles and speeds evident in the impact damage. A distracted driving attorney in Las Vegas has a network of experts to consult on cases like this. Every piece of evidence could ultimately build a picture that forces the responsible party to accept liability.
You Deserve Maximum Compensation
Distracted driving accidents can be quite devastating. Unlike a driver who was paying attention, a distracted driver may not even have a chance to apply the brake at all. Impact forces could be exceptional. As a result, you could suffer severe injuries.
A well-researched insurance claim or lawsuit could prove negligence and detail your total financial costs. A Las Vegas distracted driving attorney at Lach Injury Law can prepare a detailed accounting of your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages linked to your accident. Talk to a lawyer before you discuss your claim with an insurance company. Call our office today.