Philadelphia Distracted Driving Accident Attorney

Between smartphones, GPS systems, fast food, and touch-screen radios, there is no shortage of things to distract Philadelphia drivers today. We live in a fast-paced environment that is constantly pushing us to multitask, to waste no time, and to do more, faster. Unfortunately, mixing this pressure and driving can lead to deadly consequences.

Types of Distracted Driving In Philadelphia

Multitasking while driving has become increasingly problematic on our streets and highways in recent years, as competition at work and modern technologies encourage on-the-go communication.

Kids who are learning to drive now have had smart technology for their whole life – they don’t disconnect easily – and texting while driving incidents keep going up.

Phone use isn’t the only form of distracted driving; other forms can be equally deadly:

• Smoking
• Eating or drinking
• Emailing, skimming social media, or browsing the internet
• Adjusting the radio
• Talking to other passengers
• Reading or writing
• Personal grooming
• Rubbernecking in crash or work zones

All of these distracted driving behaviors can put you, your passengers, and the people on the road with you in danger. Taking your eyes off of the road, even for a second, is enough for conditions to change drastically and for you to get into an accident.

In work zones and school zones, distracted driving can be especially dangerous. In these places, children or construction workers are apt to step into the road at any moment, without warning. Conditions are constantly changing, and drivers need to show extreme caution and care while driving through such zones. Children are especially liable to pop out from behind parked vehicles and run into the road – creating a nightmarish situation if drivers don’t pay strict attention.

Injuries Associated With Distracted Driving In Philadelphia

Injuries caused by distracted driving look much like the injuries that occur with various other types of vehicle accidents. Of course, the severity of any injuries and property damage will depend on multiple other factors aside from the fact that one driver was operating while distracted. Other factors can include the speed of the drivers involved, the location where the incident occurs, weather conditions, drivers’ reactions, and more.

Some of the most common injuries associated with distracted driving incidents in Philadelphia include the following:

• Severe sprains or strains
• Lacerations or puncture wounds
• Spinal cord injuries
• Whiplash
• Concussions
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Head or facial injuries
• Broken or dislocated bones

In addition to these traumatic injuries, it is important for us to take into account how the incident affects a person both emotionally and psychologically. It is not uncommon for distracted driving accident victims to experience stress, anxiety, fear, and other symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These symptoms can be caused by the initial incident, any injuries, the recovery process, and any disability that affects a person for the long term.

We bring up both physical and non-physical injuries because we believe it is crucial to recover compensation for both. Our team will work diligently to ensure you are medically evaluated so that we can request compensation from the at-fault party that meets your needs.

How To Prove Distracted Driving In A Philadelphia Accident Case?

Proving distracted driving can be challenging. After any type of incident caused by the careless or negligent actions of another driver, it will be important to prove liability in order to recover compensation for your losses. Regardless of whether or not your case will settle with an insurance carrier or as a result of a personal injury lawsuit, fault must be established.

After the initial crash, individuals may gather evidence at the scene. This type of evidence often includes photographs of the damages, injuries, traffic and weather conditions, debris or skid marks, etc. Sometimes, there are nearby cameras that capture the incident on surveillance footage. This can include cameras on nearby homes or businesses or even dash cams inside vehicles involved.

However, the investigation will need to extend beyond photographs and video surveillance in some situations. It will be important to look at the police report to see exactly what an initial investigation uncovered. If there were any eyewitnesses, they should be contacted so they can give statements about what they saw. Every party directly involved, including drivers and passengers, will also need to give their statements.

In some situations, particularly in distracted driving cases, it may be necessary to recover mobile device records in order to examine whether or not someone was using their phone or data at the time the incident occurred. This can help uncover whether or not a person was actively tapping on a phone screen or buttons, whether or not they were browsing social media, and whether they were streaming some with their data. 

There are times when an accident reconstruction expert may be necessary to determine some aspects of the incident, including the likely sequence of events that led to the collision. These reconstruction experts will piece together all of the evidence available and then use computer 3D renderings to help display what likely occurred for the insurance carriers or a personal injury jury, if a trial becomes necessary.

Distracted Driving Statistics In Philadelphia 

The information available from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation indicates that there were more than 12,700 total crashes involving distracted drivers during the most recent reporting year on file. Unfortunately, these incidents often lead to significant injuries and even fatalities.

Data gathered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that around nine people lose their lives every day across this country due to an incident involving A distracted driver. Their data also shows that approximately 424,000 individuals were injured during the most recent full year of data they have gathered. 

The data also indicates that drivers between the ages of 15 and 20 are more likely to be involved in distracted driving incidents. The CDC says that texting or scrolling social media is a very common form of distracted driving for these younger drivers, but also for drivers 21 years of age and older. Since smartphones have become ubiquitous, these types of distractions have become more and more common.

Is Drowsy Driving The Same As Distracted Driving?

The CDC defines distracted driving as any type of activity that takes a driver’s attention away from the task of operating the vehicle. By that definition alone, we could say that drowsy driving is indeed distracted driving because it does take a driver’s attention away from the actual driving of the vehicle. 

However, we need to be careful about placing drowsy driving into the distracted driving umbrella. These really are two separate things that occur on the roadway, even though they often lead to the same end result – a vehicle accident that causes injuries or property damage.

Sometimes, individuals engage in distracted driving in order to keep themselves from becoming drowsy behind the wheel. For example, if a person is getting sleepy, they may fiddle with their phone or the radio in order to get some music going. Individuals may decide to browse social media or check emails in order to beat the fatigue, but the reality is that this is all dangerous activity when operating a vehicle.

If you or somebody you care about has been injured by a drowsy driver in the Philadelphia area, we encourage you to reach out to an attorney for assistance as soon as possible. Just like a distracted driving accident collision, proving drowsy driving can be incredibly challenging. Let an attorney step in and help you determine the best route for recovering compensation.

Our Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You

Involvement in a distracted driving accident can be even more frustrating and complex than a regular car accident, because there are accusations, blame, and guilt surrounding these situations. If no one was hurt, the distracted driver is still liable for the damages caused and the potential mental or psychological damage the other driver and/or passenger suffered in the accident. They can also face fines and charges for reckless driving, negligence, or breaking the law (in the case of texting and driving).

If you were involved in a distracted driver accident and don’t know where to turn next, we have your solution here. The Philadelphia personal injury lawyers at Ciccarelli Law Offices have defended distracted drivers in various accidents and situations, and we always listen to what you have to say above everything else. Our experienced car accident lawyers in Philadelphia can help you recover from any injuries or liabilities you’ve incurred during a distracted driving accident today, by taking the time to get to know you, understand your situation, and develop a plan moving forward.

Call us (215.228.0100) for a free consultation or to set an appointment with one of our personal injury lawyers. You can also submit a query or chat online with a live representative. We’re here to answer all of your questions and concerns regarding a distracted driving accident, so you don’t have to fight this battle alone.