Huntsville Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer

Protecting Alabama victims injured by distracted drivers

With the amount of technology and gadgets available in today’s cars and trucks, many drivers attempt to multi-task while they’re operating their vehicles. They either become distracted behind the wheel, or get a false sense of security from advanced safety features. As a result, other motorists are put at risk for accidents and injuries.

The Huntsville personal injury lawyers at Martin & Helms can protect your rights after a distracted driver injures you. We’ll help you seek compensation for your injuries and losses while you take the time to heal.

What is distracted driving?

The CDC reports that, every day in the United States, nine people are killed and more than 1,000 are injured in a car accident involving a distracted driver.

According to Drive Safe Alabama, distracted driving is one of the leading causes of accidents here in Huntsville and across the entire state. People who text and drive, for example, are some of the worst offenders. In fact, Drive Safe Alabama reports that texting drivers are 23 times more likely to get into a car accident. And, 25% of teens report responding to one or more texts every time they drive.

As you can guess, distracted driving occurs whenever a driver allows something to take their eyes and attention off the task of driving. Other examples include:

  • Eating, drinking or smoking/vaping
  • Grooming and applying makeup
  • Handling pets
  • Rubbernecking
  • Talking to passengers
  • Using vehicle controls, GPS or radio

The CDC also notes that sending or reading a text at 55mph takes a driver’s eyes off the road for five seconds – this may seem like a short amount of time, but in reality it’s long enough to cover the entire length of a football field.

Types of distracted driving in Huntsville

Distracted driving can be broken down into three categories:

  • Manual. These are distractions that take a driver’s hands off the wheel, like playing with the dials on the radio or reaching for an object next to or behind them.
  • Visual. Reading or glancing at a text, turning around to talk to a passenger or anything that takes a driver’s eyes off the road is a visual distraction.
  • Cognitive. A driver can have their hands and eyes on the wheel, but if their mind isn’t on the task of driving, they’re driving distracted. This could include talking on the phone or being involved in a conversation with a passenger.

The more ways a driver is distracted, the more at risk they put everyone else on the road. Texting and driving, for example, hits all three categories.

As we mentioned before, distracted driving causes thousands of accidents each year. Negligent drivers can cause severe injuries to you and your loved ones, including:

Negligence and distracted driving

When we drive our cars, trucks and motorcycles out on the highways and local roads of Huntsville, we all owe each other a duty to exercise reasonable care and safety. But when another driver becomes distracted and stops focusing on their driving and starts focusing on something else, they put everyone else on the road in danger.

When this behavior causes an accident and injuries, a driver has failed you in their duty of care. That, in a nutshell, is the definition of negligence. The legal team at Martin & Helms can work with you on your distracted driving accident case, and help prove negligence. Our experienced attorneys investigate every detail of your accident, including evidence that the other driver was distracted, like:

  • Cell phone activity at the time of the accident
  • Food spilled on the driver’s lap or seat
  • Lack of skid marks or attempt to brake
  • Phone found on the floorboards or front seat
  • Witness statements corroborating the driver was distracted

We work hard to build you the strongest possible case to ensure you are compensated fully for your injuries and losses. Our goal is to hold the responsible party accountable, and ensure your medical bills, lost wages and future earning capacity are taken care of. Your priority should be healing from the accident.

What is the statute of limitations for distracted driving accidents in Alabama?

It’s important to remember that state law restricts the time you have to bring a claim for injuries after any kind of car accident. The more quickly you contact an attorney, the sooner you and your legal team can begin building your case. Waiting too long can negate your right to recovering financial compensation.

Here in Alabama, you have two years from the date of your accident to either settle your claim or file a lawsuit against the responsible driver. If you plan to bring a wrongful death action against a negligent driver, you also have two years from the date of the accident that killed your loved one.

Although it may seem like two years is a long time, keep in mind that it takes time to gather evidence and prepare a case. Ensure you give your attorney – and yourself – the time to work through any challenges that may arise.

Talk to our dedicated Huntsville distracted driving lawyers today

If you were injured in an accident with a distracted driver, the Huntsville attorneys at Martin & Helms are here to protect your rights. We work to hold the negligent driver accountable and secure compensation for your injuries and losses. Call us today at 256-804-0907 or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case. We also serve clients in Decatur, Athens and Madison, and throughout the state.