Were you involved in a car accident because someone else was driving recklessly? The Baltimore distracted driving accident attorneys at WGK Personal Injury Lawyers, fight for the rights of victims injured by distracted drivers. Call us today at (410) 837-2144, we’ll work with you to recover compensation for the injuries and damages caused by distracted drivers.
At WGK Personal Injury Lawyers, we have over 80 years of combined experience. We have recovered tens of millions for injured victims of Baltimore truck accident injuries, Baltimore motorcycle injuries, car accident injuries, slip and fall cases, wrongful death claims, and more.
Contact our Baltimore office to discuss your options for filing a distracted driving accident claim.
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How WGK Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After A Distracted Driving Accident in Baltimore
Maryland is serious about prosecuting distracted drivers, and police officers have the authority to stop any vehicle based on distracted driving. Stops for handheld cell phone calls, texting, and all cell phone use for drivers under 18, is typical.
The Baltimore auto accident attorneys of the WGK Personal Injury Lawyers fight for the rights of victims injured by distracted drivers. We work with you to recover compensation for the injuries and damages caused by distracted drivers. Contact our office to discuss your options for filing a distracted driving accident claim.
How Common are Distracted Driving Accidents in Baltimore?
Distracted driving continues to be one of the common reasons for traffic injuries and fatalities. During 2018, 2,841 people died in distracted driving accidents. That figure includes drivers, passengers, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
In Maryland, distracted drivers were involved in 56,322 crashes from 2013 through 2017. An estimated 183 people are killed and 27,000 people are injured in Maryland distracted driving accidents each year.
The Baltimore Metropolitan area had the highest concentration of distracted driving crashes from 2013 through 2017. Weekdays, afternoons, and early evenings have the highest number of crashes caused by distracted drivers. Drivers under the age of 30 caused over one-third of the distracted driving accidents.
Maryland has several distracted driving prevention programs, including Maryland’s Toward Zero Deaths campaign. Some of the tips to avoid distracted driving include:
- Do not use a cell phone while driving.
- In an emergency, pull over to a safe location and call 911 from your cell phone.
- Never drive while drowsy or fatigued.
- Limit distractions in the vehicle by limiting passengers and activity in the vehicle.
- Avoid eating and drinking while driving, as well as grooming and other activities not related to driving.
- Avoid any activity that requires you to multitask while driving.
Causes of Baltimore Distracted Driving Accidents
The causes of Baltimore distracted driving accidents are as numerous as the drivers on the road. Any activity that takes a driver’s eyes off the road, hands off the steering wheel, or mind off the task of driving, can be a distraction that causes an accident. For example, these basic actions may cause a serious accidents:
- Reaching for objects
- Taking care of pets, children, or other passengers
- Changing clothes
- Programming a GPS
- Adjusting vehicle controls.
Many drivers are guilty of engaing in one or more of the following cell phone activities while driving:
- Talking
- Texting
- Reading, Writing or sending emails
- Using social media
- Watching or creating videos
Any activity that takes a driver’s eyes off the road, hands off the steering wheel, or mind off the task of driving can be a distraction that causes an accident.
Common Distracted Driving Injuries
Thousands of people each year are injured in distracted driving accidents. Some victims sustain life-threatening injuries and injuries that result in permanent disabilities. Victims who sustain catastrophic injuries in distracted driving accidents can suffer for the rest of their lives because of the acts of careless individuals.
Common injuries caused by distracted drivers include, but are not limited to:
- Fractures and broken bones
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Skull fractures
- Concussions
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Shoulder and back injuries
- Neck injuries
- Whiplash
- Broken ribs
- Internal bleeding
- Internal organ damage
- Scarring and disfigurement
The injuries that you sustain in a distracted driving crash significantly impact the amount of your accident claim. Generally, claims involving severe injuries tend to have more significant damages because of the increased medical costs and higher financial damages.
What Damages Are Available for a Distracted Driving Accident in Maryland?
The damages caused by a distracted driving accident vary, depending on the circumstances of the case. However, some damages are common in personal injury cases.
Damages that a victim may claim in a Baltimore distracted driving accident claim include:
Medical Treatment
Medical treatment may include ambulance service, emergency room fees, surgeries, and hospitalizations. Other examples of costs associated with medical care include physical therapy, medication, physical examination, occupational therapy, medical equipment, and vocational therapy.
Loss of Income
Loss of income includes past, present, and future lost wages. However, loss of income may also include the loss of benefits, opportunities, bonuses, commissions, and overtime pay. Loss of income may also include loss of earning potential.
Personal Care
Depending on the severity of the injury, a person may require personal care. Personal care includes assistance with activities of daily living: household chores, bathing, dressing, and grooming.
Noneconomic Damages
Noneconomic damages describe the pain and suffering a person endures because of the car accident, injuries, and recovery. These damages are subjective and difficult to prove. Your Baltimore distracted driving accident attorney uses the facts of your case to build a strong argument for maximum compensation for:
- Physical suffering and pain
- Emotional distress, including depression, PTSD, and anxiety
- Mental anguish and suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of quality of life
- Disability and impairments
Some individuals may have other damages. Working with an experienced car accident lawyer increases the chance of recovering compensation for all damages. Your attorney works with you and your physicians to carefully document all damages related to your personal injury claim.
What Happens if I am Partially to Blame for a Distracted Driving Accident in Baltimore, MD?
An insurance company for another driver may try to blame you for causing the distracted driving accident. The company uses this tactic to avoid paying your claim.
Under Maryland’s strict pure contributory negligence law, you cannot recover compensation for an accident that is partially your fault. If you contributed to the cause of a distracted driving accident, you are barred from receiving any money for a claim.
Therefore, insurance companies have an incentive to try to blame the victim for contributing to the cause of the crash. Contact an attorney immediately if you are being accused of any fault for the crash.
Is There a Deadline for Distracted Driving Accident Lawsuits in Maryland?
Generally, an accident victim has three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit for distracted driving injuries. You could have a very short time to file a claim if the accident involves a government entity.
It is best to contact a Baltimore distracted driving accident lawyer as soon as possible. In addition to monitoring the deadlines for filing claims, your lawyer takes steps to protect your legal rights and best interests, which increases your chance of recovering fair compensation for your injury claim.
Why Should I Hire a Personal Injury Attorney After a Distracted Driving Accident In Baltimore?
The most common answer to this question is, “to protect your legal rights.” However, hiring a personal injury attorney after a distracted driving accident also relieves stress.
Insurance adjusters can be very aggressive in investigating accident claims. Adjusters can also pressure victims to settle claims quickly for low amounts. Your attorney handles all communications with the insurance company so that you can focus on your recovery.
Your Baltimore distracted driving accident lawyer:
- Investigates the accident and gathers evidence
- Obtains medical records, police reports, witness statements, and accident reports
- Researches case law and statutes
- Identifies liable parties and insurance coverage
- Files an insurance claim and handles settlement negotiations
- Prepares all documents necessary for settling the case
- Protects you from aggressive insurance adjusters and bad faith insurance tactics
- Prepares and files a personal injury lawsuit, if necessary
Distracted driving accidents are not always easy to prove. You must prove that the other driver was entirely at fault for causing the crash to recover compensation for a claim. Hiring an experienced attorney who understands the complexities of proving fault can mean the difference between winning and losing your case.
Get Help From an Auto Accident Lawyer in Baltimore
If a distracted driver injured you or someone you love, we want to help. Our legal team has the skills, resources, and knowledge necessary to help you pursue justice from the reckless and careless driver who caused your injuries. Our goal is to help you receive a fair settlement for your loss.
Contact WGK Personal Injury Lawyers, to schedule a free consultation with a Baltimore distracted driving accident lawyer.