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BIRMINGHAM DISTRACTED DRIVING ACCIDENTS LAWYERS
If you've suffered in a car accident caused by a distracted driver, contact Wettermark Keith.
It only takes a moment for someone’s life to completely change. A driver could glance down to check to see why their phone buzzed or someone could look at their cup holders to see where they last placed their cup of coffee; suddenly, that one distracted moment has caused a horrible car accident, possibly injuring themselves, you, or someone you love. Even worse, distracted driving can cause a wrongful death. In Alabama, there were 47 certified fatalities associated with distracted driving in 2019.
In our country, almost 400,000 injuries occur each year from accidents caused by texting and driving alone– this is without considering any other form of distracted driving. Distracted driving accidents are some of the most common types of vehicle crashes in Alabama, and we are one of the worst states in the nation when it comes to teen road death. Every day, hundreds of distracted and inattentive drivers fill the roads and put others at risk, and this is exacerbated by the fact that Alabama’s distracted driving laws are some of the most lenient in the country.
At Wettermark Keith, we aim to be a part of the solution by helping victims of distracted drivers seek financial compensation. We have spent over 50 years combined helping crash survivors obtain justice. If you have suffered at the hands of a distracted driver, let us help you by giving our Birmingham distracted driving attorneys at Wettermark Keith a call at (205) 952-0480.
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Common Examples of Actions by Distracted Drivers that Lead to Birmingham car Accidents
A distraction can refer to any cognitive, physical, or visual element that takes a driver’s attention away from driving. Any distraction - large or small - that detracts from keeping one’s eyes on the road or both hands on the wheel could be dangerous. Proof of any type of driver distraction could serve as evidence in your case against another driver in Birmingham. The following lists a few of the most common types of distracted driving incidents:
- Using a cellphone
- Eating or drinking
- Looking at a map
- Chatting with passengers
- Tending to a child or pet
- Personal grooming
- Reading a billboard
- Rubbernecking
- Driving while tired
- Daydreaming
At Wettermark Keith, it is our job to investigate car accidents on behalf of our clients while searching for signs of fault or liability, including signs of distracted driving. If we find proof of distracted driving, we may be able to use it to get the at-fault driver’s insurance company to offer you a reasonable settlement. We’ll do everything we can to make sure you obtain fair recovery from a distracted driver in Birmingham.
How to prevent A driving accident in Birmingham
To keep our clients safe, we also think it's important to explain how you or your loved ones can avoid any involvement in a distracted driving accident. Follow these simple tips in order to keep yourself and others safe on the road.
- Put your phone in the backseat, a stowaway compartment, or a bag to help avoid any type of temptation to respond to text messages, take phone calls, or use other applications.
- Pull off to the side of the road or stop somewhere safely if you have to do anything that involves diverting your full attention from the road.
- If you must contact someone on your drive, use a hands free calling option while operating a motor vehicle.
While these simple steps cannot absolutely ensure that you will never be involved in a distracted driving accident, they will make sure that you are never the at-fault party in a distracted driving incident.
What injuries can result from distracted driving?
Since high-speed collisions are tough for the human body to endure, a car accident always has the potential to cause harmful injuries. A variety of injuries can be caused by distracted driving crashes, including:
- Spinal injuries
- Whiplash
- Broken or sprained bones
- Bruising
- Soft tissue damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Severe head trauma
- Amputations
If you or a loved one has suffered from one of these injuries, something that went unlisted, or wrongful death, contact a personal injury attorney at Wettermark Keith to let us help you get the justice that you and your loved ones deserve.
How often are car accidents caused by a distracted driver in Birmingham?
The use of a cell phone while driving leads to about 1.6 million crashes a year. According to the Alabama Department of Transportation, in 2019, 47 people were killed in distracted driving accidents. While this is the worst case scenario, it proves the very real fact that these accidents occur much more than they should, and can often have extremely horrific outcomes. Approximately 25 percent of accidents across the country are caused by cell phone use.
In Alabama, drivers are not the only ones affected by distracted driving. With the rise in cell phone use, pedestrian fatalities in Alabama have risen, and traffic experts explain that these accidents are often caused by pedestrians walking while distracted by their electronic devices.
More recently, in 2020, the National Safety Council’s analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration finds that distracted driving crashes killed 3,142 people across the nation, which is a one percent increase from the previous year. It is important to remember the consequences of distracted driving every time you step behind a wheel. If you are affected by a disastrous distracted driving incident, then contact an attorney at Wettermark Keith today.
Follow these steps if you are involved in an accident caused by a distracted driving in Birmingham, Alabama
Step 1: Call 911 and check for injuries in yourself or your passengers.
If you are okay to move, check to see if any passengers in your car are harmed. Call 911 to the scene of the accident, and make sure to report any injuries that you have discovered to the operator. Do not hesitate to call the police, even if the incident is minor, because you need the accident to be on record on a police report.
Step 2: Gather information by collecting the proper documentation.
Gather the information of everyone involved in the accident, such as insurance cards, contact information, and names. You need to take photos of the scene, the damage of the vehicles, and any visible injuries at the scene. You will need this information later for an insurance claim and any lawsuit that follows.
Step 3: Contact distracted driver attorneys at Wettermark Keith.
It is extremely important to hire an experienced attorney when you experience a distracted driving accident. By hiring a lawyer, you know that you will always have someone looking out for your best interests in this traumatic time of your life.
Why Do You Need a Birmingham Distracted Driving Accident attorney?
Retaining a lawyer to protect your best interests could help you avoid mistakes such as accepting a low-ball settlement from the distracted driver’s insurance corporation. Insurers can use intimidation tactics and deceit to try to get you to settle for less. Your lawyer will know how to negotiate with a claims adjuster for maximum financial compensation on your behalf. You don’t have to figure out your claim alone. The right attorney can stand in your corner throughout the claims process in Birmingham.
A car accident can leave you with injuries that cause you to spend more time at the hospital than at the office, which is terrifying knowing that medical bills are continuously piling up. A lawyer will be able to fight for your right to fair compensation for this loss of time at work and the accumulation of medical bills due to a distracted driving crash.
These accidents can also cause emotional distress as they are traumatic experiences that can lead to psychological stress and emotional disorders. Without a lawyer, it may be extremely hard for you to prove damages from emotional distress alone; however, an experienced, talented attorney can stand by your side throughout the claims process and make sure you get the justice and compensation you deserve.
Accident lawyers can help you understand Civil vs. Criminal Law After Distracted Driving Accidents
The consequences of distracted driving in Alabama are some of the most lenient in the country. For drivers under 18, a citation is considered a traffic violation and comes with a fine ranging from $150 to $350. The citation will also add 2 points to your driving record. For other adult drivers, texting while driving carries a $25 fee for the first offense, $50 for the second, and $75 for the third. Unless the driver was also breaking one of Alabama’s laws, the driver might not face criminal charges for causing an accident.
This does not mean that you cannot get justice for damages caused by a distracted driver. The driver may owe you compensation under the rules of civil liability. A prosecutor will not file a civil claim for you. It is up to you to hold a distracted driver civilly responsible for your car accident. You or an attorney will need to file a civil claim with the correct court in your county by the deadline. Then, you can fight for fair compensation from the distracted driver.
Why Choose a car accident lawyer from the personal injury law firm Wettermark Keith?
At Wettermark Keith, we care about the people we help. Our car accident lawyers are passionate about handling cases properly to help crash victims when they need it most. With offices located throughout Alabama, Tennessee and now Florida, Wettermark Keith has an excellent reputation as one of the most accomplished personal injury firms in the country. We have won over $800 million in results for injured clients. If necessary, our experienced attorneys will go the extra mile and take your case to trial.
At Wettermark Keith, we believe in taking cases personally. Our purpose is to practice with care and compassion - to tell our clients’ stories and make their voices heard. We do this by building strong relationships based on constant communication and an unwavering dedication to truth and trust. Winning cases isn’t our goal - caring for you is. Winning is just how we show it.
We operate on a contingency fee basis. Our Birmingham distracted driving attorneys take clients without charging any fees upfront. We never ask for anything from you unless we win your case. We choose to operate this way for the benefit of you, our client. Our goal is for you to have the most successful recovery possible, so let us take care of the rest.
Contact a Distracted Driving Accident lawyer in Birmingham
Wettermark Keith has the experience you need for a strong claim to damages after a distracted driving car accident in Birmingham, Alabama. We can take the right steps toward obtaining fair compensation, on your behalf, for your economic and non-economic damages after a collision involving a negligent or reckless driver. Contact us at (205) 952-0480 for a free legal consultation today. You can also contact us through our online form or chat with us online. We will make sure to get you the justice you deserve. Our mission is to represent you as if you were family - because to us, you are.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to the Alabama Department of Transportation, in 2019, 47 people were killed in distracted driving accidents. While this is the worst case scenario, it proves the very real fact that these accidents occur much more than they should, and can often have extremely horrific outcomes. Approximately 25 percent of accidents across the country are caused by cell phone use.
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