Why You Need a Distracted Driving Accident Attorney in Duluth
If you have never gone up against a car insurance company before, an attorney can help you with the legal process. A distracted driving accident attorney in Duluth can handle legal tasks for you while you receive medical care, such as returning to the scene of the crash, collecting evidence, and hiring experts to testify. A lawyer can help you negotiate with an insurer for the financial compensation that you deserve.
Distracted Driving Facts and Statistics
Distracted driving refers to operating a motor vehicle while the driver’s attention is on something else. A driver can be visually, manually or cognitively distracted while driving. All three are dangerous. The deadliest form of driver distraction is cell phone use, as it checks all three boxes at the same time.
Distracted drivers cause thousands of serious car crashes each year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2019 alone, distracted drivers caused 3,142 fatalities in the U.S. Like many states, Georgia has laws preventing distracted driving, such as a law that prohibits texting while driving. Many drivers, however, break these laws and cause preventable collisions.
Is Georgia a Fault or No-Fault State?
Georgia is a fault state, meaning the party at fault for a car accident is responsible for paying for victims’ injuries through his or her car insurance policy. If Georgia were a no-fault state, on the other hand, injured victims would file claims with their own insurance companies, even if they did not cause the crash. There are only 12 no-fault states in the U.S.
If you believe the other driver was distracted and this caused your car accident in Duluth, he or she may be financially responsible – or liable – for your injuries. It is up to you or your attorney to establish the other driver was at fault. Proving fault in an auto accident claim requires clear and convincing evidence.
What to Do After a Distracted Driving Accident in Duluth
One of the many reasons to hire an Duluth car accident attorney after a distracted driving accident is so he or she can collect evidence for you. An attorney can return to where your accident took place to collect any available information. However, it may also be possible for you to collect evidence yourself in the aftermath of a car accident.
Take the following steps, if possible, to start building a strong injury claim from the beginning:
- Call the police to report the distracted driving accident.
- If you or anyone else has any injuries, ask the police to send an ambulance.
- Exchange names, phone numbers, and insurance information with the other driver.
- Do not admit fault for the car accident.
- When the police arrive, explain why you believe the other driver was distracted.
- Take photos of the accident, including any evidence that the other driver was at fault, such as food wrappers in his or her front seat.
- Write down the names of any eyewitnesses before you leave the scene.
- Go to a hospital in Duluth for immediate medical care.
- Call the other driver’s insurance company to file a claim.
- Contact a car accident attorney before you accept an insurance settlement.
Contact our Duluth Distracted Driver Accident Lawyers Today For a Free Consultation
Collecting evidence while at the scene of your distracted driving accident can help you present a more powerful case against the other driver. Distracted driving is rampant in Duluth. If a distracted driver caused your recent car accident, don’t hesitate to contact our experienced Duluth personal injury lawyers at BMW Law Group to discuss your rights. You may be eligible for compensation for your medical bills and property repairs from the distracted driver. Request your free consultation today at (770) 629-9329.