Denver Distracted Driving Attorney

What is distracted driving?

Distracted driving means doing anything that takes your full attention from the road. There are three main categories of distracted driving: manual, visual and cognitive. Manual distraction includes trying to do something else besides driving. This can include reaching for something in the glove box, changing a station on the radio, or anything else that requires you to focus your attention on a manual task that is not controlling your vehicle. Visual distraction is when you take your vision off of the road. This can be to look at a text message or email, to look for something that you dropped, or to check on a passenger in the backseat. Anytime your vision is elsewhere, even for a split second, you are visually distracted. The last category of distracted driving is a cognitive distraction. Believe it or not, our brains can only perform one task at a time. What we think of as multitasking is actually switching between tasks rapidly. When you are not completely mentally focused on driving, you are cognitively distracted. This can slow your reaction time or literally make you blind to unexpected hazards that are in your field of vision.

Some distracted driving involves all three types of distractions. E.g., your phone rings while it is in your pocket so you reach for it (manual distracted driving), which requires you to take your eyes off the road (visually distracted driving), all while thinking about what you will say to the person who is calling you (cognitive distracted driving).

How dangerous is distracted driving?

Distracted driving causes accidents, injuries, and even deaths. Driver distractions have joined alcohol intoxication and speeding as leading causes of deadly and serious injury crashes. According to the National Safety Council, 21 percent of all crashes involved talking on cell phones. A minimum of 3 percent of crashes are estimated to involve texting. Despite these statistics, people continue to use their devices while driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has estimated that at any point during the day, 9 percent of drivers are using their cell phones.

Texting while driving is a serious safety risk. More than 33 percent of people admit to reading or sending a text or email while driving even though everyone knows that it is dangerous. Even the act of talking on a cell phone while driving dramatically increases the risk of being in a motor vehicle accident.

The risks of texting and cellphone use while driving is now well known. Distracted drivers who continue to engage in cellphone use are putting themselves and others at risk of serious harm danger. However, deaths and injuries because of distracted driving are preventable. We can protect ourselves and our families by holding distracted drivers accountable for their choices.

Is it safe to use hands-free devices while driving?

No. Using a hands-free device is still distracted driving. A hands-free device is usually either a blue-tooth headset or a direct connection with your vehicle’s audio system. Most hands-free devices allow voice-activated phone calls. Many people make the mistake of believing that hands-free devices are a solution to distracted driving auto accidents. It is correct that hands-free devices take away two of the types of distracted driving addressed above, manual distraction and visual distraction. However, they do not eliminate the cognitive distraction and are therefore still dangerous. Studies have shown that hands-free devices are not any safer than holding a cellphone to talk. The reason is that hands-free devices do not eliminate cognitive distractions. Phone calls, and the associated risks, typically last for a relatively longer time than a text message. Also, people are less likely to realize that they are cognitively distracted when talking on the phone.

A study performed by the University of Utah showed that drivers using cell phones had slower reaction times than drivers who were impaired by alcohol at a .08 blood alcohol concentration, which is the presumptive legal intoxication limit in many jurisdictions. Braking time was also significantly delayed for drivers using hands-free and handheld phones.

Should I talk to insurance after a distracted driving accident?

You should not talk to an insurance company or sign any documents after being injured in an auto accident before you talk to a Denver car accident attorney. From sending low settlement checks to demanding blanket authorizations for all of your protected medical records, the insurance companies know what they are doing. Insurance companies try to minimize the amount of money they have to pay you for the actions of their insured driver who caused you injuries. Make sure you talk to a motor vehicle accident lawyer before talking to the insurance company.

What is the Colorado statute of limitations for distracted driving?

The statute of limitations for bodily injuries arising out of a motor vehicle collision in Colorado is generally three years from the date of the accident. However, there might be additionally available claims with shorter statutes of limitations. Claims for negligent entrustment or negligent maintenance could have a two-year statute of limitations. Dram shop claims against an establishment that served a negligent driver alcohol might have a one-year statute of limitations. It’s important to contact a Denver car accident lawyer as soon as possible to make sure these important deadlines aren’t missed.

Why do drivers choose to drive while distracted?

Most people are aware that distracted driving causes auto accidents. In fact, only alcohol-impaired driving is rated as a more serious problem. Yet drivers continue to text and use cell phones well driving. 17 percent of people admit to engaging in this behavior very often. Perhaps it is because people do not understand how their cognitive abilities are actually affected that causes people to continue this dangerous behavior. Most drivers believe that they are safer while using hands-free devices. Until distracted drivers are held accountable for their actions by distracted driving auto accident lawyers, the problem will continue. We can protect ourselves and our community by holding distracted drivers responsible for their actions.

How can I prevent distracted driving?

Changing distracted driving behavior is a shared responsibility for all of us, including our lawmakers, drivers, and device manufacturers. First, change your own behavior. Do not try to multi-task while on the road. Do not use a phone while driving. Keep your eyes on the road around you. The only thing you should be paying attention to while driving is the road and traffic around you. If you drive while distracted, please consider how this can put others at risk of serious harm and even death.

An experienced distracted driving auto accident attorney can investigate whether cell phone usage was a factor in your motor vehicle accident. If it was, then your attorney can hold the at-fault driver responsible for their reckless conduct. Sometimes this includes claims for punitive damages to punish the bad conduct. If you are injured in a distracted driving auto accident, you should contact one of the best Denver distracted driving auto accident attorneys today.

How can a Colorado distracted driving attorney help me?

A distracted driving lawyer will help you navigate the maze of complicated laws and hold the wrongdoers accountable for your damages. This includes taking steps to preserve important evidence that can help maximize your recovery and prove the elements of your case. Videos and incident reports can disappear, and witness information can be lost. A wrongful death lawyer will send out a preservation letter to make sure the at-fault party preserves any important information. If they fail to do so, they may be subject to adverse instruction if the slip and fall case goes to trial.

The evolution of Colorado’s distracted driving laws can be a confusing web of statutes and case law that many attorneys and judges are unable to agree on. If you have been injured or lost a loved one because of someone’s carelessness or recklessness on the road, contact a Colorado distracted driving accident lawyer today to protect your rights. In most cases, the injuries could have been prevented with common sense and a little caution. We can reduce these losses and make our communities safer for our families and friends by holding negligent parties accountable for their actions. Don’t settle for less, call Eisenstein Law today for a free distracted driving accident case evaluation.

Find Your Distracted Driving Lawyer with Eisenstein Law

Eisenstein Law has significant experience representing individuals and families in a multitude of personal injury litigations and trials. We represent those involved in car accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, slip & fall accidents, insurance bad faith claims, and much more. We hold all negligent parties accountable for their actions and always strive to get the best results and outcomes for your case. We choose to take on a limited number of cases, allowing us to provide the highest quality services for all the clients we represent.

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