Distracted Driving Accident Attorneys in Fort Wayne
As a motorist on the roads and highways in Indiana, you have the right to expect that others will operate their vehicles with proper care and caution. When a driver is not focused on the road and his or her surroundings, severe and potentially fatal car accidents can occur. If you have been hurt or lost a loved one in a crash with a distracted driver, turn to a legal team that can help you to pursue the compensation and justice that you deserve.
The Fort Wayne car accident lawyers of Truitt Law Offices represent distracted driving accident victims in Fort Wayne and across Indiana. We are here to protect your rights and seek the full and fair compensation that you are owed if someone else’s negligence has harmed you.
We want everyone in our community to understand just how dangerous distracted driving can be. Our vehicles are vital to our work and social lives, but they can be deadly if not operated with care and attentiveness. The most common distractions in modern vehicles such as smartphones, GPS systems, and stereo systems can cause devastating accidents if they draw your attention from the road.
If a distracted driver has caused you harm, contact one of our experienced car accident attorneys today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. With offices in Fort Wayne, Huntington and Indianapolis, we are never far away. You can reach us 24/7 and speak with a member of our team right away.
What is Distracted Driving?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines distracted driving as any activity that takes the driver’s attention away from the road and away from the task of operating the driver’s vehicle safely. Some examples of distracted driving include:
- Talking on the phone
- Texting
- Surfing the web on our smartphone or tablet
- Eating and drinking
- Grooming
- Fiddling with entertainment or navigation systems.
These are only a few examples of the most common forms of distracted driving. In reality, anything that takes your eyes away from the road is dangerous and could lead to a catastrophic accident. In fact, according to figures released by the NHTSA, an estimated 3,450 people died in 2016 and nearly 400,000 suffered injuries in car crashes involving distracted drivers in 2015.
According to a survey that the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety published in 2017, concern about the dangers of distracted driving has increased significantly among drivers. Most people (87 percent) feel that distracted driving is a bigger problem today than it was a few years ago. Still, a high number of drivers continue to drive while texting, talking on the phone or engaging in other forms of distracted and dangerous behavior.
Does Indiana Have Any Laws Against Distracted Driving?
Indiana does not have any “blanket” laws which address all forms of distracted driving. Still, Indiana does have some laws on the books that target one very dangerous distraction behind the wheel – texting and driving. On July 1, 2011, Indiana joined the majority of states by enacting a ban on texting while driving. Currently, drivers are prohibited from:
- Texting while the vehicle is in motion
- Using cell phones or any other wireless communication device for talking, texting, or any other use if the driver is under age 18.
Violating Indiana’s texting and driving laws can result in a fine of up to $500.
Lawmakers have introduced bills that would restrict drivers to using only hands-free phone apps or devices in the vehicle, prohibit drivers from operating a vehicle with pets in their laps and prohibit other similar distracted driving activities. Lawmakers have even proposed a ban on cell phone use for all drivers and suggested fines of $300 to $1,000 for repeat offenders.
What Do You Do If You Are Injured By a Distracted Driver?
Three main types of distractions can take a driver’s attention away from the road. These three main categories are visual, manual, and cognitive. If a driver is texting, fiddling with items in the car, daydreaming or doing anything other than focusing on the road and the vehicles around them, the driver is being negligent and could be held liable for any injuries and property damage that he or she causes.
If a negligent driver hit you, then you have the right to pursue full and fair compensation. Contact a car accident lawyer who has a track record of successfully securing compensation for injury victims to help you pursue justice and hold the distracted driver accountable for his or her actions.
An attorney from Truitt Law Offices who has experience with handling car accident cases will know how to investigate the crash and collect evidence that demonstrates that the other driver was distracted and caused the crash. Examples of such evidence often include:
- Skid marks (or lack of marks, showing that the driver did not attempt to brake)
- Cell phone records
- Social media activity
- Witness statements
- Black box data (showing no change in speed or braking – in other words, the driver was too distracted to try to slow down or swerve).
Your lawyer will use the evidence that we collect to pursue a settlement from the negligent driver’s insurer. If the insurance company refuses to offer a settlement that is fair and equitable, your attorney will take your case to trial, if necessary.
Get Help from Our Fort Wayne Distracted Driving Attorneys
At Truitt Law Offices, our team of compassionate attorneys fights to protect the rights of those who have been injured by others. We fight to make our community safer. When drivers fail to pay attention to the road and cause a severe injury crash while distracted, we will be there to help victims seek justice.
We are ready to investigate your accident and determine if the other driver was distracted while operating his or her vehicle. We will then aggressively seek the maximum amount of compensation allowed by law to make sure that you get the money you need to pay your medical bills and move on with your life.
Don’t let someone else’s dangerous behavior cost you everything. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation about your case. Our team is available at our offices in Fort Wayne, Huntington, and Indianapolis to speak with you 24/7, so connect with us today to get started with your case.
