Distracted driving can come in many forms. It can also often lead to accidents. When that happens, injury victims are left with medical bills, lost wages, and physical pain. If you’ve been hurt by an inattentive driver, you shouldn’t have to shoulder that burden. A Burlington distracted driving accident lawyer can help.
At Whitley Law Firm, we’ve been fighting for injury victims and their families since 1974. Our legal team is available 24/7 to help injury victims and their families seek fair compensation. Contact our Burlington car accident lawyers today and get started with a free consultation.
What Counts as Distracted Driving and Why Does It Matter?
To have a successful personal injury claim, it’s essential to prove that someone else’s negligence caused your injuries. To do so, your Burlington personal injury lawyer will aim to prove that the driver was distracted. Negligence is defined by four key factors, which are:
- Duty of care: The driver had a legal duty to practice safe driving.
- Breach: The driver breached that duty.
- Causation: The breach led to the accident.
- Damages: The accident caused you to suffer losses.
Examples of Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is very dangerous. If a driver is traveling at 55MPH and takes their eyes off the road for 5 seconds, they’ll travel the length of a football field in that time.
Some common forms of distracted driving include:
- Texting.
- Talking on the phone.
- Talking with passengers.
- Eating or drinking.
- Checking the GPS or changing the radio station.
Basically, anything that takes a driver’s eyes from the road, hands from the wheel, or attention from driving can be considered distracted driving.
How Does a Lawyer Prove It?
Proving that a driver was distracted often requires a thorough investigation. Your distracted driving accident lawyer in Burlington will gather and analyze evidence like:
- Video footage from security cameras at nearby businesses, dash cams, and traffic cameras.
- Eyewitness testimony.
- Photographs of the accident scene.
- Phone records, which can prove texting or talking while driving.
- The police report for the accident.
- Expert testimony from accident reconstructionists.
- Black box data, if a commercial vehicle was involved.
Proving a distracted driver’s negligence is the first step to recovering fair compensation.
The Whitley Advantage isn’t just one thing – it’s everything.
Contact Us Today For a FREE Confidential Case Review (800) 785-5000What Compensation Can You Recover After a Distracted Driving Accident in Burlington?
With car accident injuries, the costs often go beyond medical bills. Your lawyer will advocate for the maximum compensation you are entitled to, aiming to provide for your immediate and long-term costs from the accident.
You may be entitled to compensation that accounts for:
Economic Losses
These are the financial costs of an accident and can include the following:
- Emergency room visits
- Hospital stays
- Surgeries
- Doctor appointments, including ones with medical specialists
- Medications
- Mobility devices
- Home health aides
- Home modifications
- Property damage
- Physical therapy appointments
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Lost job benefits
Non-Economic Losses
These are losses without a direct cost associated and can include the following:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of quality of life
- Scarring and physical disfigurement
Is There a Deadline for Recovering Compensation?
Yes, under North Carolina’s statute of limitations, you typically have three years to file a personal injury lawsuit. This timeline may be shorter or longer, depending on the specific circumstances of your case.
Talk to your attorney about the expected timeline for your case. They will ensure everything stays on track throughout the legal process.
Burlington Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer Near Me (800) 785-5000
Why Choose a Burlington Distracted Driving Accident Attorney From Whitley Law Firm?
With over 120 years of combined experience, our legal team is prepared to take on aggressive insurance companies. Our personal injury lawyers will fight for the compensation you deserve instead of settling for lowball offers.
We can:
- File all necessary paperwork, ensuring it is accurate and complete.
- Handle all communications with the other parties involved.
- Investigate the accident and gather evidence to support your injury claim.
- Negotiate with the insurance company for a fair settlement.
- Represent your case in trial, if necessary.
- Handle any appeals if your claim is denied.
Can You Afford an Attorney?
Yes, there is no upfront cost to work with our attorneys. Our legal team works on a contingency fee basis. That means you only pay us if and when we recover compensation for you. At your initial free consultation, we will go over our fee structure with you.
This firm has always been about people and helping them.
Contact Us Today For a FREE Confidential Case Review (800) 785-5000What Should You Do If You’ve Been Hurt by a Distracted Driver?
After an accident, it’s often confusing and stressful. You may be unsure what actions to take to help your case and which ones may hurt your case. Below, we’ll go through some dos and don’ts after an accident.
Do
If safe to do so, you should:
- Call 911 to report the accident to the police.
- Get medical attention as soon as possible.
- Take photos of the accident scene, including any visible injuries you have.
- Get contact information from witnesses.
- Contact a distracted driving accident lawyer in Burlington.
Don’t
You should avoid the following:
- Talking to an insurance adjuster on your own. Instead, have your lawyer speak on your behalf.
- Take blame or apologize when talking to the police, insurance companies, or the other driver.
- Stop or delay prescribed medical treatment. Insurers may use this against you.
- Post about the accident on social media.
We are committed to the highest quality client service and one-on-one attention.
Contact Us Today For a FREE Confidential Case Review (800) 785-5000Contact Whitley Law Firm Today
If an inattentive driver has caused you harm, you shouldn’t have to pay for their carelessness out of your pocket. Instead, contact the Whitley Law Firm. Our lawyers will fight for you to receive a fair settlement.
Contact us today to get started with a free consultation. We’ll discuss your case and your legal options with you. Let us be your advocate.
Learn about what makes us unique and why we are the right firm to help you.
Contact Us Today For a FREE Confidential Case Review (800) 785-5000