You carefully comply with all traffic laws and you have the right-of-way, but a distracted driver crashes into you and causes bodily harm and property damage. While all car accidents create stress and uncertainty, the frustration of dealing with something entirely preventable may debilitate your life.
Knowing how to respond in a tense situation involving a distracted driver can help you protect your rights. You deserve compensation for having to endure trauma and damages at the hands of a negligent person.
Get medical treatment
Distracted driving can take on many forms including visual, manual and cognitive. According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, some examples of distraction include the following:
- Personal grooming
- Reading road signs
- Listening to loud music
- Eating
- Texting
- Talking with passengers
Immediately following a collision with a distracted driver, make sure you get adequate medical attention. Monitor your symptoms and seek follow-up treatment for persisting pain. If you need rehabilitative therapy, make sure you work with your medical provider to acquire ongoing support.
Hire a legal professional
Insurance companies, the other driver and even other witnesses may dispute your story and share a different version. Because of the challenges of proving distraction was the cause of an accident, it is in your best interest to hire an attorney. A legal professional can advocate for you and develop a timeline of events that articulates your experience in detail.
The monetary damages of a car accident can last for a long time. Depending on your injuries, you may temporarily lack the physical health to work. Medical bills and the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle can also cause financial strain. Working with an attorney, you may have a shot at reclaiming the compensation that rightfully belongs to you.