Distracted driving causes thousands of car accidents across the United States. Mississippi is no exception. The digital age ushered in countless technological distractions for motorists, such as cell phones, GPS devices, and infotainment systems that tempt drivers behind the wheel far too often.
Were you hurt in a crash caused by a distracted driver? You could be entitled to recover monetary compensation for your medical expenses, lost earnings, property damage, pain and suffering, and other losses. A Jackson distracted driving attorney at Derek L. Hall, PC, has what it takes to help you seek the best possible outcome in your case.
Call or contact us today for a free consultation.
How Our Distracted Driving Attorneys Can Help
Getting hurt in a distracted driving accident can be a traumatizing, even life-changing, experience. Many crash victims sustain severe injuries that require long-term medical treatment. Others end up living with lifelong disabilities. Regardless of whether you make a full recovery, the medical expenses associated with a car accident injury can quickly drain your bank account. If you can’t earn an income as you recuperate, you could end up facing hefty financial debt.
In Mississippi, accident victims can pursue compensation for their injuries if someone else’s negligence causes a collision. This is usually accomplished by filing a personal injury claim against the at-fault party’s insurance company. But getting a fair payout is easier said than done.
Insurance companies are notorious for offering injured people lowball settlements regardless of how valid their claim may be. Adjusters may use a variety of tactics to accomplish this goal, from pinning the fault on you to arguing that your injuries are not as serious as you claim they are.
You shouldn’t have to focus on fighting back while you are trying to heal. You need a distracted driving attorney to push for maximum compensation for your losses. At Derek L. Hall, PC, we have the knowledge and resources to handle every aspect of your distracted driving case.
Our distracted driving lawyers will:
- Launch a thorough investigation into the accident
- Identify the liable party(s)
- Gather strong evidence to support your claim
- Place an appropriate value on your case
- Negotiate aggressively for a full and fair settlement
- Take your case to trial (if necessary)
Most distracted driving claims resolve with settlements. At Derek L. Hall, PC, we push to settle so your case concludes as quickly as possible. However, we prepare every case as if it is going to trial. That way, we can pivot easily to file a lawsuit if a fair settlement can’t be reached.
What is Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving occurs when a driver engages in any activity that takes their attention off the road. There are three main types of distractions:
- Manual distractions – Any activity that requires a driver to take their hands off the wheel.
- Visual distractions – Anything that causes a driver to take their eyes off the road.
- Cognitive distractions – Anything that takes the mind and focus off driving safely.
Texting while driving is considered the most dangerous type of distracted driving. That’s because it encompasses all three types of distractions at once. Drivers must take their hands off the wheel to type a message, their eyes off the road to read one, and their focus from driving to compose a text. For this reason, Mississippi distracted driving laws ban texting while driving.
How Common is Distracted Driving?
Inattention is one of the most common causes of fatal car accidents and car accidents in general. Distracted driving claimed the lives of more than 3,100 people nationwide in a recent year, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data.
According to the Mississippi Department of Health, three-quarters of adult drivers in the state report talking on the phone while driving. A disturbing 33 percent of drivers admit to reading, writing, or sending texts behind the wheel.
Types of Road Distractions
Common examples of road distractions include:
- Texting
- Talking on the phone
- Eating and drinking
- Reading
- Personal grooming
- Fiddling with navigation devices
- Talking to passengers
- Looking at billboards
- Adjusting the stereo
- Daydreaming
Distracted Driving Laws
For a long time, Mississippi did not have a distracted driving law. Drivers were not technically barred from texting while driving. However, Mississippi banned texting while driving for all drivers in 2015. Adult drivers who text while driving could face a traffic citation if they are caught texting behind the wheel.
How to Avoid Distracted Driving Accidents
There are a variety of ways to avoid distracted driving accidents. Here are some tips for preventing these types of crashes.
- Silence your cell phone or turn it off. If you place your phone on silent, you likely won’t notice if someone texts or calls while you are on the road. If you leave your ringer on, you may be more tempted to respond before getting to a safe place to stop. You can also set a notification alerting callers that you are driving and will reply to them shortly.
- Stow your phone in the glove compartment, center console, or in another location where you can’t reach it. You’ll be unable to check messages or surf the Web while driving.
- Install an app that prevents you from texting while driving. If the temptation is too great to keep you from texting, there are apps to prevent it. Consider installing one.
- Pull over and stop if you must respond. It could save your life.
Contact Our Distracted Driving Attorneys For Help Today
A car accident caused by distraction can have life-changing consequences. Let a distracted driving attorney at Derek L. Hall, PC pursue the money you deserve if you suffered injuries in a crash with an inattentive driver. We’re committed to helping you regain your financial security and get your life back on track. Call or contact us today for a free consultation. There’s no fee unless we win.
