Distracted driving is any activity that diverts a driver's attention away from driving. These types of distractions include texting, talking on the phone, eating, drinking, using a navigation system, adjusting a radio, or reading. Distracted driving has become one the leading causes of vehicle accidents that leave victims seriously injured. Nowadays over 90% of drivers own handheld electronic devices such as cell phones, smartphones, and tablets. It is common for drivers to attempt to read or type text while the car is in motion. The result is that thousands of people are seriously injured or die each year in car accidents related to cell phone use. The victims of such accidents often suffer painful, devastating injuries with long recovery periods. For example, it is not uncommon for a victim to suffer a traumatic brain injury such as a severe concussion, or a life-altering spinal cord injury that leaves the victim paralyzed. Such injuries are not only physically and emotionally painful they also can cause the victim financial stress since the victim may have to miss a substantial amount of work. Fortunately, under New York law victims of car accidents, medical malpractice, and defective products have the right to seek compensation for their personal injuries. If you are considering contacting a New York Injury Lawyer because you or a loved one suffered a serious injury in a distracted driving car accident, it is critical that you immediately contact an experienced Nassau County Distracted Driving Accidents Lawyer who will work tirelessly to ensure that you receive compensation for your losses.
New York's distracted driving lawNew York's distracted driving law prohibits drivers from texting while operating a motor vehicle. This means that it is against the law to talk on a cell phone, send or read texts or emails, or surf the internet while driving. When using an electronic device the driver's eyes are not focused on the road, but on the electronic device. A few seconds of averting eyes from the road can lead to a collision.
In New York in accordance with New York Vehicle and Traffic Law section 1125-c it is against the law to use a mobile phone while driving. Similarly, under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law section 1125-d it is also against the law to drive while using a laptop, pager, electronic game, tablet or any other portable electronic device.
Consequences of distracted drivingIf a driver is not paying attention to the road and instead is looking down at his or her phone, there is a good chance that that driver will cause an accident leaving another person with serious injuries. While the fines for violating New York Vehicle and Traffic Law prohibitions against driving while using a cell phone or portable electronic device are relatively minor, if distracted driving leads to injury the offender may be financially responsible to his or her injured victim.
If you were injured in an accident because of the negligence of a distracted driver, through a personal injury lawsuit there are number of different types of damages that you may be able to recover:
A personal injury lawsuit against the person responsible for the accident will not only hold that person accountable for his or her negligent acts but will also provide you and your family with needed financial relief. To ensure that your rights are protected it is important that you are represented by someone with experience representing victims of car accidents. The staff at Stephen Bilkis and Associates has extensive experience representing clients injured in car accidents, truck accidents, as well as other types of vehicle accidents. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your car accident.