Distracted driving car accidents in Kent, WA

When getting behind the wheel of a car, most people don’t think twice about whether or not being distracted will be a danger to them or others on the road. Indeed, most people use their phones, apply makeup, eat or drink, talk to passengers, or attend to children while operating their car.

But this behavior is incredibly dangerous. So dangerous, in fact, that the Washington Traffic Safety Commission reports that 30 percent of traffic fatalities and 23 percent of serious crashes in Washington are due to distracted driving. What’s more, drivers are three times more likely to be involved in a crash while talking on a phone. Despite this, however, 70 percent of observed distracted drivers were using their cellphones at the time of observation.

At the law office of the Khan Injury Law PLLC, we are serious about safety, and we’re serious about holding distracted drivers liable for the harm that they cause. If you have been in a distracted driving accident, please reach out to our distracted driving car accident lawyers in Kent for your free consultation.

Types of Distracted Driving

One of the most dangerous forms of distracted driving is that of using a handheld device, such as a smartphone, while behind the wheel of a car to talk, text, email, or use apps. However, the use of a handheld device is by no means the only type of distracted driving. Other forms of distracted driving include:

Eating or drinking;
Applying makeup or self-grooming;
Attending to children or pets;
Talk to passengers;
Reading a map or using a GPS device;
Looking out the window/daydreaming; and
Engaging in any other behavior that takes the attention off of driving.

Distractions can be manual (taking the hands off of the wheel), visual (taking one’s eyes off of the road), or cognitive (taking one’s mind off of the act of driving). Each type of distraction can be dangerous.

Is Distracted Driving Illegal?

Many people wonder whether or not distracted driving is illegal and, if not, how a driver who causes a crash as a result of distracted driving can be held liable for the damages that result.

Distracted driving in itself is not against the law in Washington; however, it is against the law for a driver to hold a phone while operating a car. You can use a phone, though, if you are using a hands-free device and can start the use of your phone with a single touch or swipe of your finger, are parked or out of the flow of traffic, or are contacting emergency services. Otherwise, using a phone while driving is against the law. This is true for all drivers.

Distracted Driving and Negligence

Just because eating or drinking behind the wheel and other forms of distracted driving aren’t illegal doesn’t mean they’re safe; in fact, these actions can certainly lead to a crash. In some cases, forms of distracted driving may be considered negligent – outside of the realm of what a reasonable person would consider safe and responsible. If you can prove that another driver’s negligence was the cause of your crash–whether or not their behavior was actually illegal–you can hold that driver responsible for the full value of your damages.

Damages Recoverable in a Distracted Driving Crash

If you are involved in a crash caused by a distracted driver, you have the option of filing a claim against that driver’s liability insurance, filing a lawsuit directly against the driver, or filing a claim against your own insurance depending on your coverage type. At the Khan Injury Law PLLC, we believe that you should be compensated in full for the value of your losses. This means that we will advocate for your right to recover compensation for your:

Medical expenses, including past and future hospital bills, rehabilitation costs, prescriptions, and more;
Lost wages, including past and future lost wages and the value of your loss of earning capacity;
Property damage expenses; and
Noneconomic losses, such as the value of your pain, suffering, and emotional distress.

Why You Need a Kent Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer

When a crash happens, your first priority will no doubt be getting medical treatment. Depending on the extent of your injuries, this may consume the following days and weeks of your time and your thoughts. Thinking about financial recovery will probably not be the first thing that you’re worried about, but soon enough, the bills will start to pile up and you’ll start to wonder how you will pay for your damages.

As the stress starts to compound and you think about your options, don’t overlook the benefit of working with a skilled Kent distracted driving accident lawyer. You need an attorney because:

Your injuries and financial losses are severe, and you deserve someone on your side who will advocate for your best interests and improve your chances of recovering your full settlement amount;
Fault may not be obvious, and having an attorney on your side who can gather evidence and prove the extent of the harm you’ve suffered can make a huge difference;
Your insurance adjuster isn’t only your side, and may be looking for every possible way to lowball your claim;
There are rules and regulations you need to follow of which you may not be aware – your attorney will make sure you file paperwork on time and that the process proceeds as intended; and
You don’t have the time, energy, or know-how to manage your claim on your own, especially as you focus on healing from your injuries. Your attorney can take a weight off of your shoulders by managing your entire claim.

Call Our Kent, WA Distracted Driving Accident Lawyers Today

At the Kent law offices of the Khan Injury Law PLLC, we know how shocking a crash can be. If you’ve been harmed, called our Kent distracted driving accident lawyers today for a free consultation. We are passionate about serving our clients well.