Whether it be texting, navigating a GPS, or otherwise, distracted driving is a leading cause of car accidents in the state of New Jersey. And with such an accident may come serious injuries and damages. Read on to discover how distracted driving can lead to a car accident and how one of the seasoned Bergen County auto accident attorneys at McNerney & McAuliffe can help you in this situation.
In what ways can distracted driving lead to a car accident?
Distracted driving is seen as driving while doing any other activity that takes your attention away from the road. Different kinds of distracted driving are as follows:
- Visually distracted driving: partaking in an activity that moves your eyes away from the road (i.e., turning to talk to passengers, reaching for an item in the back seat, focusing on the rearview mirror, etc).
- Auditory distracted driving: partaking in an activity that moves your attention away from the road (i.e., talking to passengers, listening to music, listening to a GPS, etc).
- Manuel distracted driving: partaking in an activity that moves your hands away from the wheel (i.e., eating, drinking, smoking, applying makeup, texting while driving, etc).
- Cognitive distracted driving: being in a state of mind that moves your attention away from the road (i.e., being fatigued, being emotionally distressed, etc).
What should I do if I am involved in a car accident?
If you were involved in a car accident and you believe that the other party was distracted while driving, then you are likely able to file a personal injury claim against them to recover your damages. But in order to be successful with this, you must take the following steps immediately after your accident:
- Call 911: the police will file an official accident report and dispatch an ambulance on your behalf.
- Document the scene: take pictures and videos of your injuries, any damages to your vehicle, and the overall scene of the accident.
- Obtain witness’ contact information: ask present witnesses for their contact information so that they can offer testimony in your personal injury claim later on.
- Obtain the other parties’ information: ask involved parties for their personal information and their insurance information.
- Seek medical attention: go to the ambulance at the scene and schedule follow-up appointments as necessary to ensure that your injuries are properly treated and that you receive the right evidence that points to the origin and extent of your injuries.
- Remain calm: your behavior can play a role in your personal injury claim later on. For example, if you apologize for your accident, this may be misinterpreted as an admission of guilt.
For more information, consult with one of the competent Bergen County personal injury attorneys today. We look forward to working on your case.
