Have you been involved in a distracted driving accident in Charlotte? Distracted driving is a growing concern all over the US. Today, smartphones have taken risks involved with distracted driving to a new level. Distracted driving can cause bodily harm, property damage, or even death. You need the help of a skilled Charlotte distracted driving accident lawyer to get justice if you are involved in a car crash.
Our professional team at Ted A. Greve & Associates can help you build a strong case today. We can help you recover these damages:
- Medical bills
- Property damage
- Physical and mental pain
- Loss of life enjoyment
- Physical disfigurement
- Wrongful death
Ted A. Greve & Associates is ready to help you if a distracted driver has hit you. No one is above the law in North Carolina. Let our car accident attorneys build a strong case for you to hold the negligent driver liable. Contact us today at (800) 693-7833 for legal representation. We will guide you throughout the litigation process.
What is Distracted Driving?
Any activity you do while driving your vehicle that takes your eyes or mind off the road is considered distracted driving. It involves anything that diverts your attention while operating a vehicle, including sending a text message, eating, or singing.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 8 people die every day due to distracted driving in the US. Taking your eyes off the road to switch the playlist at 55 mph for 5 seconds is equivalent to driving through the entire length of a football ground blindfolded. Distracted driving increases your chances of being involved in a car crash.
It may take you up to 3 seconds to fully regain your attention after a distraction. These seconds may seem negligible, but they are the thin line between safety and a motor vehicle crash. Three seconds could be everything you have if you are speeding or you encounter a road hazard. These seconds are everything. You can’t drive safely unless you pay full attention to the road.
Types of Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is commonly associated with the use of cell phones. Various types of distracted driving may add to a driver’s visual, manual, and cognitive impairment. All sorts of driving distractions fit into these three categories:
Visual
Visual stimuli may attract your eyes, leading to distracted driving. Visual distractions pull your eyes off the road. There are instances when visual distractions are unavoidable. For instance, children playing in a nearby field may hit your windshield with a ball. That’s a distraction.
You may take your eyes off the road for a second to look at a billboard advertisement or a construction site. Turning to look at a passenger or looking at your GPS are forms of visual distractions. They may not necessarily involve the driver taking hands off the steering wheel.
Manual
Here, the driver must take their hands off the wheel. Some drivers think one hand is good enough when maneuvering the wheel. Your reaction time and steering ability suffer when you ignore using both hands on the steering wheel.
For instance, what happens when a deer suddenly darts out of a bush? It would take you at least a second to hold our steering with both hands. You could end up hitting the deer or ramming into a tree. Still eating, smoking, texting, drinking, looking for items, and fiddling with your stereo system are common types of manual distractions. You may end up veering off the road if you aren’t driving with both hands.
Cognitive
Cognitive distractions don’t involve looking away from the road or taking your hands off the wheel. They are distractions of the mind. Your mind may have drifted even though your hands are on the steering wheel. You are less alert when your full concentration isn’t on the road. Cognitive distractions include daydreaming, road rage, talking to other occupants, listening to the radio, and using hands-free devices.
Laws Regarding Distracted Driving in North Carolina
In North Carolina, it is illegal:
- To use a mobile phone to manually text or read emails while driving. Emergency responders and law enforcement are exempted while on the job.
- To use a phone while driving a car if you are under 18 years of age. You can only use your phone during emergencies.
- To read emails or text while at a red light, as North Carolina considers being at a red light “operating a vehicle.” This implies that you may receive a ticket for texting or reading emails.
- For School bus drivers to use a mobile device while on duty under any circumstances. The only exception is during emergencies.
Emailing or texting while driving attracts a fine of $100, and using a phone for an under 18-year-old driver attracts a penalty of $25 in North Carolina.
What Damages Can Victims Get from a Distracted Driving Crash Claim in Charlotte?
In North Carolina, pure contributory negligence statutes apply. Fault in a distracted driving lawsuit is based on negligence. You can not recover any damages if you shared any fault in the accident. In an at-fault state, the plaintiff has to make a distracted driving claim against the defendant’s insurance policy. Here, the liable driver’s policy would cover the plaintiff’s damages.
You can file a personal injury claim against the driver at fault seeking economic and non-economic damages. Here are some of the compensatory costs you can be awarded in Charlotte after a distracted driving accident:
- Past, present, and future medical expenses, including ambulance costs, surgeries, therapy, medical appointments, rehabilitation, medication, hospital stays, and in-home care.
- Lost income
- Physical and mental anguish
- Lost earning capacity
- Vehicle repair and replacement costs
- Wrongful death
- Loss of consortium
- Disfigurement
- Decreased quality of life
The plaintiff may also sue for punitive damages under North Carolina law. These damages don’t cover the plaintiff’s loss, but the defendant’s wrongful actions. They serve as a lesson to deter the defendant from repeating similar actions in the future. Intentionally caused harm and extreme recklessness may warrant punitive damages.
You can recover maximum damages after a crash if you retain a skilled attorney’s services. At Ted A. Greve & Associates, we have legal experts who can build a strong case for you. We can help you get compensation for losses incurred in a Charlotte distracted driving accident.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?
In North Carolina, you must file your car accident claim within three years from the date of the accident. You will be barred from seeking compensation for your distracted driving accident case if you don’t file your claim within this time limit.
On the other hand, you need to file a wrongful death claim within two years from the accident date. This is the time limit for wrongful death claims in North Carolina. Contact Ted A. Greve & Associates today for case evaluation before the expiration of the statute of limitations.
Why Do I Need a Lawyer?
Our experienced Charlotte car accident lawyers can help you in various ways. This gives you ample time to recuperate and focus on your recovery. We understand you’ve been through a traumatic ordeal.
Case Preparation / Filing a Lawsuit
Our team of experts will conduct a thorough independent investigation to determine what exactly happened. We will unearth all potential insurance policies for your claim. Ted A. Greve & Associates can help you put your claim together and file the paperwork.
Settlement Negotiation
Our Charlotte distracted driving accident lawyers will handle all settlement negotiations with defense attorneys and insurance adjusters on your behalf. We will go above and beyond to ensure you receive a settlement that matches your claim value.
Trial Preparation & Representation
We are ready to meet the defendant’s attorneys and insurance adjusters in court if we hit a deadlock. Our Charlotte car accident lawyers will prepare your claim to present a persuasive case in court.
How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
Are you worried that contacting a Charlotte distracted driving accident lawyer may be expensive? Are you thinking about dropping your lawsuit because you don’t have the cash to pay for legal fees? Don’t!
At Ted A. Greve & Associates, we operate on a contingency basis. Our legal fees are a percentage of your compensation. We do not operate on a nonrefundable retainer basis. Contact us now for a free case evaluation. We don’t charge any upfront fees.
Contact Our Charlotte Distracted Driving Accident Lawyers
You may be eligible for compensation if a distracted driver injures you. The driver may have been on the phone, eating, daydreaming, or talking to someone in the car. Our Charlotte distracted driving accident lawyers can help you file a personal injury case against the driver at fault. We will guide you throughout each step of the way to get the compensation you deserve.
At Ted A. Greve & Associates, we have an experienced team and resources, ensuring you get the best legal aid for your North Carolina distracted driving claim. Our team includes trial lawyers, competent paralegals, medical experts, and licensed insurance adjusters. You are in safe hands!
You need the help of expert Charlotte distracted driving accident lawyers if you’ve been involved in a distracted driving car crash. Talk to us now rather than later if you’ve been involved in a collision. Remember, there is a time limit in North Carolina for filing car accident claims. For a free case evaluation with one of our car accident lawyers, call Ted A. Greve & Associates today by calling (800) 693-7833.
