Rhode Island Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer

Prohibited use of cell phones while driving is the law in many communities hoping to eliminate car accidents caused by distracted driving. This is because speaking or texting on a cell phone while driving is a contributing factor in more than 25 percent of all vehicle accidents nationwide.

Rhode Island Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer

Distracted driving is not a new phenomenon. It  is a problem that has been around as long as transportation. Any activity that diverts the motorist’s attention away from operating a motor vehicle creates a serious issue for everyone sharing the road with a distracted driver. While texting and using a smart phone or cell phone has become a recent problem, other driver distractions have been around for decades, including:

• Grooming or applying makeup
• Drinking or eating
• Reading, including studying maps
• Adjusting the radio, MP3 player or CD player
• Grasping for something out of reach in the vehicle
• Driving with one hand

Not a New Phenomenon in RI or across Nation

Drivers become easily distracted when they divert their eyes from the roadway to dial a number, read a message on their smart phone, or type out a text reply. However, not all driver distractions caused by electronic equipment involves diverting eyes from the roadway or manipulating the device.

“Rhode Island’s law against texting while driving is proving ineffective at stopping the behavior and now, slightly more than two years after its original enactment, lawmakers are moving forward with plans to stiffen the penalties for those caught composing, reading or sending such a message while behind the wheel.” Go local 

If you are injured in a pedestrian accident caused by driver carelessness including distracted driving  / texting and driving then it is imperative that you don’t just call a Rhode island  personal injury lawyer but you retain an experienced RI Texting While Driving Accident Attorney.

Numerous studies have shown that hands-free devices increase the driver’s “cognitive workload” causing them to become easily distracted. Merely carrying on a conversation with another in the vehicle or using a hands-free communication device tends to drop brain activity making spatial tasks, like operating the vehicle, more challenging.

Steps to Take to prevent distracted driving

Even in locales where talking or texting on a cell phone while driving is legal, it is advisable to avoid it altogether. This is because distracted driving can easily lead to breaking the rules of the road by driving erratically and unsafely, and putting others in harm’s way if you cause an accident. The following steps can minimize the potential of being involved in an accident. They include:

• Your First Priority Is Safe Driving – All humans have limited capacity when multitasking. Because taking or making a cell phone call while driving will likely cause a distraction, avoid it altogether. Let the phone ring, or turn it off completely. When making or taking a call or text message is necessary, pull the vehicle off the road and come to a complete stop before using the phone.

• Maintain Eye Contact on the Road – Any distraction inside the vehicle can cause you to easily divert your eyes from the roadway. Prepare before heading out, like turning off your cell phone, turning the radio dial to the proper station, or consuming food and beverages before driving.

• Limit Your Conversations – Having a smart phone inside the vehicle can be extremely handy and convenient during emergencies. However, cell phone use is often abused. Because involved or lengthy discussions can easily cause you to become distracted, limit your conversations while driving.

Texting and driving in Rhode Island is not just limited to automobile motorist as there have been hundreds of distracted driving motorcycle, truck, pedestrian, bus and motor vehicle crashes. If you were injured as a result of a RI distracted driving collision then please contact a Rhode Island Distracted Driving personal injury lawyer. Distracted driving crashes occur all over Rhode Island including: Coventry, East Greenwich, Providence, West Greenwich, West Warwick, Warwick, Central Falls, Lincoln, Cranston and Cumberland

Distracted driving Accident in Rhode Island

When it can be determined that a driver’s distraction caused a vehicle accident, the motorist can be held legally responsible and be required to pay financial compensation to injured victims. In many incidences, distracted driving is far more dangerous than drunk driving because the distracted motorist is not even watching the roadway at the time of the accident.

A skilled Rhode Island  personal injury attorney representing a victim suffering injuries caused by a Providence distracted driver will seek financial compensation for their client to cover medical expenses, loss of income, loss of life, pain, suffering and  other damages. Reputable RI car accident attorneys are usually successful because it can be proved that the driver at fault for the accident was visually, manually and cognitively distracted at the time the  East Greenwich, North Kingston or South Kingston accident occurred.

Anybody who gets behind the wheel of a motor vehicle has a duty to use due care and caution for the safety of the people and property around them. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration reports that in 2013, distracted driving caused the deaths of 3,154 people. About 424,000 were injured. a large percent of the distracted driving car, truck and motorcycle accident resulted from motorists texting while driving.

Sensory skills and texting

Distracted driving in Rhode Island can take many forms like talking on a phone while driving, grooming or reading, but texting while driving is generally regarded as the most dangerous form of distracted driving. Driving requires three sensory skills. Those are visual, cognitive and manual. When a person is texting and driving, they’ve made a conscious decision to focus those skills on an activity other than driving.

When somebody is texting in Rhode Island, their eyes are off the road for an average of five seconds. At 55 miles per hour, they’ve covered the length of a football field in that five seconds. They’re 23 times more likely to get into a crash. The problem became so pervasive that texting while driving is now against the law in 39 states and the District of Columbia. That fact reflects the serious dangers involved in any form of distracted driving. It doesn’t even take that five seconds for somebody to cause that distracted driving accident either.

Compensation and distracted driving crash in RI

If you’re a driver, passenger, bicyclist or pedestrian who was injured in a distracted driving accident, you probably have a legitimate legal right to compensation. Damages in Providence Superior Court can include but not be limited to:

• Past and future medical bills
• Past and future lost earnings
• Pain and suffering
• Permanent disability
• Permanent disfigurement

Victims who have been injured because of the negligence of somebody else deserve fair compensation. We’ve seen many cases of injury or death that were caused by distracted driving, and we seek to help injured victims with their claim. People lose months of earnings and incur steep medical bills for treatment and therapy while insurance companies try to limit their losses and settle cases for a fraction of their value.

A Rhode Island personal injury attorney can get you compensation

Rhode Island personal injury lawyers hold drivers accountable for their negligence. If you or somebody close to you has been injured in a distracted driving accident in Rhode island and Providence Plantations, call us right away. Don’t give a statement to the other insurance company without first consulting with a RI car accident lawyer. You don’t have to. We’re experienced, dedicated, aggressive but compassionate. Contact us for a free consultation and case evaluation. Speak to a Rhode Island auto accident lawyer or car accident attorney in Rhode Island as soon as possible.

Distracted driving threatens the life and safety of passengers, pedestrians, bicyclists and other motorists on the road in Rhode Island. Distraction while driving can include any action that diverts the eyes and mind of the driver from the roadway or grip on the steering wheel. If you were involved in a texting while driving or a distracted driving car crash in Rhode Island then it is crucial that you retain a RI distracted driving accident attorney

New forms of distraction

While distractions have always been a problem for motorists that choose to drink, eat or groom in a moving vehicle, modern technology has exacerbated the problem of distracted-related accidents immensely. Over the last decade, distractions caused by technology have significantly increased the amount of accidents. This is because cell phones, smart phones, and other electronic mobile devices have changed how we communicate from any location, including inside a moving vehicle.

Individuals use the technology to stay connected to their workplace and personal lives while driving a car, truck or motor vehicle. Unfortunately, sending and reading a text message while driving has become a leading cause of distracted-related accidents in Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. In fact, “texting” increases the potential of causing a collision by 2300 percent compared to collisions not involving text messages.

Statistics by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) indicate that drivers talking or texting on cell phones are 400 percent more likely to be involved in a collision causing serious injury.

Critical Events Involving Distraction in RI

Researchers believe that distracted driving is under-reported by law enforcement  in Rhode Island and across the United States collecting crash data, due to the limitations of filling out a report. Many critical events on America roadways and in RI  are believed to be caused by distraction. Some of these critical events include:

• Failing to remain in the proper lane
• Running the vehicle off the road
• Losing control of the car or truck
• Failing to stop in time to prevent hitting an object

In many incidences, motorists are engaged in a non-driving activity when involved in an accident. Some of these include conversing with other occupants, texting, dialing a cell phone, searching for objects in the car, handling children or adjusting electronic devices including a radio or navigation equipment. A Rhode Island distracted driving attorney will help you get the compensation that you deserve.

Enacting laws and bans

Many state legislatures have taken steps to enact laws to ban use of various electronic devices inside a moving vehicle in an effort to reduce the amount of distracted-related accidents. In many states, this ban restricts use of cell phones (hands-free and handheld) and texting on any device. In addition, some states are banning cell phone use when operating a moving vehicle along a highway construction zone or in a school zone.

The Dangers Are Deadly Seriously

According to research, using a cell phone while driving quadruples the potential of being involved in an accident in Rhode island and Across New England. This statistic is the same as driving drunk. However, driving a vehicle while sending or reading text messages increases the potential of causing an accident by eight times. This is because the texting driver is distracted on average for about five seconds, and can travel more than 300 feet at 55 miles an hour, taking the vehicle out of full control of the driver.

Statistics by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that more than 3000 individuals are killed every year, and nearly 400,000 injured in distracted driving-related accidents. The dangers involved in driving while distracted in Rhode Island (RI), especially when texting, are deadly serious. Steps should be taken to change risky driving behaviors to minimize the potential of injury or fatality.

If you were injured by a testing while driving motorist or a distracted motorist then contact a Rhode Island Distracted Driving Accident Attorney (Rhode Island personal injury lawyer) or a RI car accident lawyer. A Rhode Island Distracted Driving Accident Attorney can help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.

Nearly 50 percent of all accidents occurring in the United States are directly or indirectly caused by distracted driving. While many of the suspected culprits of distraction include texting, calling on a smart phone, eating, drinking and using GPS navigation, many accidents are the result of bizarre driving behaviors that cause serious injuries and fatalities.

Strict Laws against Distracted Driving

Even though communities have very strict laws and ordinances against distracted driving, law enforcement deals with many bizarre behaviors performed by individuals behind the wheel of a car while it is in motion. In 2012, more than 3000 individuals nationwide lost their lives through distracted driving. The most common type of accident involves rear end collisions caused by drivers distracted / texting while driving or looking away from the roadway for just a second or two. The most bizarre distracted driving behaviors known to cause accidents include:

Unusual distractions and vehicular operation

• Public Displays of Affection – While a romantic encounter can be exciting and adventurous, kissing and “fooling around” should never be performed in a moving car. It is already a challenge to minimize major distractions and keep both eyes focused on the roadway without increasing the potential risk of causing an accident by becoming intimate while driving.

• Styling and Combing Hair – Many of us in a hurry to reach our destination will leave the house or office without spending time grooming our appearance. Unfortunately, some individuals choose to style and comb their hair while traveling down crowded streets and busy highways.

• Changing Clothes – Removing any article of clothing while operating a moving vehicle is a dangerous activity that can cause serious collisions. While changing clothing in a car might be the only available option, it is an activity that should only be performed after the car has been stopped and the transmission put into park.

• Applying Makeup – Many women admit to applying makeup while driving, including curling eyelashes, spreading foundation and lipstick, and using tweezers to pluck unwanted hair from their faces, all while staring into the driver-side vanity mirror.

• Brushing and Flossing – While everyone wants their pearly whites to sparkle and shine, brushing and flossing teeth while operating a moving car usually requires too much focus to remain attentive to the roadway.

• Changing Drivers – Even though it is a wise decision to take a break from long hours of driving, changing drivers while the vehicle is moving is a dumb idea. Losing the few minutes it takes to pull the car off the side of the road to switch places is much better than losing your life and the life of your co-pilot.

• Taking a Selfie – Remembering the moment of driving the car should not be captured by taking a selfie behind the wheel while it is moving.

• Using the Vehicle as a Toilet – Not surprisingly, men account for the high incident rate of “going to the bathroom” while driving. What is surprising is that women also admit to “relieving themselves,” while operating a moving vehicle.

Taking Legal Action in Providence Superior Court using a Rhode Island distracted driving personal injury lawyer

If you, or a loved one, have suffered serious injuries caused by a distracted driver, you are entitled to pursue legal action against all responsible parties to obtain financial compensation. However, the complexities of filing a claim and negotiating a settlement or presenting evidence in court is challenging. Successfully resolving the case usually requires a highly skilled Rhode Island personal injury attorney or a RI car accident lawyer to investigate the accident, gather evidence and talk to eyewitnesses to build a solid claim for compensation.

Your lawyer will have access to investigators and a large network of accident and medical reconstruction experts who can determine exactly how the accident occurred. Successful personal injury attorneys who specialize in distracted driving claims and lawsuits usually offer free initial consultations to evaluate the case. These cases are accepted on a contingency basis to provide immediate legal representation without the need to pay a retainer or any upfront fees.

Distracted driving is a serious problem on America’s roadways. While many drivers become lost when searching for an address, most are not involved in accidents while attempting to reach their destination. However, in-car navigation devices appear to be responsible for thousands of collisions occurring every year across the United States and in Rhode Island.

So exactly why is on board car technology sometimes dangerous to the traveling population? One crucial factor appears to be distraction while driving. Navigational devices including GPS locators have been labeled as some of the most hazardous distractions in many cars and trucks on the nation’s roadways.

Statistics maintained by the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) indicate the driver distractions account for nearly one third of all crashes in the United States. Even though GPS devices and other onboard vehicle technologies are not the only distractions experienced while driving, they are certainly serious ones.

Why a GPS Is So Distracting | on board technology

The intention behind using a GPS location device for navigational purposes is to assist drivers in avoiding becoming lost while maximizing the efficiency of reaching their destination quickly. However, on board car technology devices usually take the driver’s eyes, focus and attention away from the roadway.

Without a preset destination, the driver is required to input the full address of their desired location including the name of the street, street number, town or city, state and ZIP Code. The amount of effort it takes to type or talk the address into the unit can be confusing and cause erratic driving if the motorist is lost.

Rhode Island Personal injury attorneys and RI distracted driving Injury lawyer who litigate distracted driving accidents are fully aware that GPS navigation systems, cell phones, tablets and other technologies are leading factors in many accidents with injuries and fatalities.

Texting while driving in RI

Pursuing a Claim for Compensation for texting while driving in RI or Distracted driving claims in Providence using a Rhode Island Personal Injury Lawyer If you, or your loved ones, have been seriously injured in a Rhode Island motor vehicle accident or multi car wreck that you believe was caused by onboard car technology distraction or texting and driving, you likely have the right to pursue a claim for financial compensation in Providence Superior Court. You probably have a strong case if the RI car, truck or motorcycle accident was not your fault, but caused by the negligence, recklessness or careless actions of another.

However, litigating driving distraction cases are complicated and best handled by an experienced Rhode Island personal injury attorney or a RI car accident lawyer. This is because the insurance company providing coverage for the party at fault will launch an investigation immediately to determine every aspect of the accident in an effort to minimize the amount of compensation paid out.

Building a strong claim

Your East providence auto crash attorney must build a strong case by collecting and presenting evidence that proves how the defendant acted negligently and is therefore legally responsible for your injuries and losses. Your Providence motor vehicle collision lawyer will likely build the case against the defendant by showing certain aspects of the wreck including:

• There was a failure of the other driver to remain fully aware of their surroundings.
• The other driver operated their vehicle while distracted.
• The motorist responsible for the accident violated one or more traffic laws.

Successful personal injury attorneys in Warwick, Cranston or Woonsocket who handle distracted driving cases will review police reports, accident scene photographs and medical records. The RI truck accident lawyer or Rhode Island wrongful death attorney will review video footage showing the crash when available and research the driving record history of everyone involved. In complicated cases, the RI attorney will use investigators to re-create the accident scene before filing a claim or lawsuit against every party at fault.

Evaluating Damages

Your RI motorcycle accident attorney will use proven methods to determine the exact value of your claim for compensation. Damages typically include:

• The costs of past, current and future medical bills, surgeries, hospitalization, rehabilitation and physical therapy.
• Lost wages and the loss of an ability to earn a living in the future due to injuries caused by the accident.
• Property damage including the cost of repair or replacement of your vehicle.
• Pain and suffering

By presenting strong evidence, your negligence and injury lawyer will have a winnable claim to negotiate your out of court settlement or take the case to trial. Most personal injury lawyers in Cumberland, North Providence, Bristol and Newport offer a free case review to determine every legal option you have to obtain recompense.