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Injury Attorneys
New Haven, Connecticut | Weber & Rubano Law Firm

New Haven Distracted Driving Attorney

New Haven Distracted Driving Attorney

Distracted driving is a growing problem across the United States as the array of digital technologies available on phones increases the opportunities for distractions. While distracted driving once meant causing an accident by adjusting the radio station or eating a hamburger behind the wheel, today’s distracted drivers are far more likely to cause an accident by using their cell phone to:

  • Send or answer a text
  • Take a phone call
  • Set a GPS app
  • Select a music playlist or podcast
  • Check an email
  • Take a selfie photo or video
  • Scroll through social media

A recent survey revealed that 88% of drivers admit to using their phones at red lights, 69% admitted to using a phone during stalled or stop-and-go traffic, and 63% admit to using their phones while driving. The law firm of Weber & Rubano, LLC, feels passionate about defending victims of distracted drivers and ensuring they have the maximum chance of full compensation for their injuries.

Other Causes of Distracted Driving

While the phrase “distracted driving” today almost always brings cell phone use to mind, other distractions can also result in car accidents. Some of the ways a driver becomes distracted are just as prominent today as they were in the past, including:

  • Eating and driving
  • Applying makeup or grooming behind the wheel
  • Looking for sunglasses or dropped items
  • Adjusting radios or sound systems
  • Drinking a hot or cold beverage
  • Interacting with passengers or children in the back seat
  • Reading while driving

Drivers have the responsibility to remain alert at the wheel and avoid distractions that could compromise their focus and reaction time. If they don’t take this reasonable precaution and the result is an accident, they bear liability for your damages.

Penalties and Liability for Distracted Driving in Connecticut

In New Haven and elsewhere in Connecticut, law enforcement takes distracted driving seriously, with fines of $200 for a first offense and increasing penalties for further offenses up to $650. Despite the pricey tickets, distracted driving accidents occur regularly in and around New Haven. If you’ve been injured in a car accident and a distracted driver was at fault, according to Connecticut’s fault-based insurance practices, the driver is liable for your damages. A skilled accident attorney can investigate your case and prove the following legal points of liability on the part of the distracted driver:

  • That the driver owed a duty of care to you and others on the road to take reasonable measures to keep others safe by avoiding distractions and following traffic laws
  • That the driver breached this duty by the negligent act of distracted driving
  • That the negligent distraction directly caused your injury
  • That you’ve suffered significant damage due to the injury

When the evidence reveals that a plaintiff in an accident case caused the crash by distracted driving, they are responsible for your economic and non-economic damages. Their insurance company must pay out on your claim according to the terms of the policy in place at the time of the accident. Because insurance companies maximize profits and hesitate to write out large checks, a New Haven Distracted Driving Attorney may be your best ally in recovering damages.

What to Do After a Car Accident in New Haven

If you’ve experienced a car accident, it can be difficult to keep a cool head in the traumatic aftermath. If you’ve had an accident and feel confident that the other driver was at fault, it helps to take the following actions if you are able to move about safely. If you have serious injuries, it’s best to remain in place until help arrives, but if an uninjured person or helpful bystander can use your phone for you, it can become an important tool for your later financial recovery. Use your phone after an accident to do the following:

  • Call 911 to report the accident
  • Take photos of your vehicle and the other vehicle(s) involved
  • Photograph the scene of the accident including any relevant factors like intersections, traffic lights, or road signs
  • Collect the contact information of the other driver(s) and any eyewitnesses
  • Use your phone to make a quick recording of the details you remember about the accident while they are fresh in your mind since trauma can cause memory problems later

Once you arrive at the hospital, ask for a full evaluation and a detailed medical report with your doctor’s recommendations for treatment and your expected prognosis. Follow all of your doctor’s instructions and keep copies of all of your medical bills. Ask for a copy of the police report about your accident. Call the distracted driving attorneys at Weber & Rubano, LLC, in New Haven to discuss the details of your case.

What Damages Can I Recover in a New Haven Distracted Driving Claim?

Injuries from car accidents are not only painful and sometimes temporarily or permanently life-altering, but they also quickly become costly. A successful car accident claim with the help of a diligent, experienced attorney can help you to recover financially while you focus on your physical recovery after an accident. Compensation may be available through the distracted driver’s insurance for the following damages:

  • Medical expenses and future medical expenses if you require further treatment, surgery, physical therapy, or home health care
  • Lost wages and future lost earnings as you recover
  • Diminished earning capacity if your injuries cause partial or total disability
  • Pain and suffering
  • Any other appropriate non-economic damages like disfigurement, limb loss, or loss of pleasure in life

While it’s true that financial compensation cannot erase an injury or cure pain, it is the court’s way of offering redress to accident victims not only for their tangible economic losses but also for the intangible suffering caused by serious injuries.

Why Choose Us for Your Distracted Driving Accident Claim in New Haven?

At Weber & Rubano, LLC, we understand the ripple effects and long-term impacts of a serious car accident on all aspects of the victim’s life. Our decades of experience and strong local reputation puts your case at an advantage when it comes to proving liability, negotiating with insurance companies for the maximum compensation, and litigating the matter aggressively in court if required to secure your financial recovery.

Call our New Haven law office today to set up an initial consultation to discuss your accident, and share your goals for an outcome in your specific case so we can begin a powerful strategy.