Victims of distracted driving suffer injuries, financial loss, and emotional turmoil because someone else was not focusing on the road as they should have been. When your life involves complicated injuries and losses, the legal team at Shane Smith Law wants to help you fight back.
Seek the guidance of our experienced distracted driving accident lawyer in Charlotte to get the results you need. Our Charlotte car accident lawyers have helped more than 10,000 clients since the firm was founded in 2009, and we boast more than 100 years of combined experience.
Understanding Distracted Driving and Why It is So Dangerous
Distracted driving involves any type of action in which the driver’s attention is taken away from the road in front of them, even if they do not turn their head away. The fact is, thousands of people die every year from distracted driving, a fully preventable loss brought on by negligence, recklessness, and inattention. Examples of distracted driving include:
- Texting behind the wheel
- Eating and drinking while driving
- Adjusting navigational devices and maps
- Changing the radio
- Grooming while behind the wheel
- Watching a podcast or video
- Engaging in heated conversations with others
If you believe a person engaged in any of these types of distractions while operating a vehicle, and that is what caused your accident and resulting injuries, let our Charlotte personal injury lawyers go to work on building your case. Expect our team to become your advocate in recovering full damages on your behalf. We offer victims a complimentary consultation to determine how we can assist them.
Other Common Distractions
Distraction can include more than just these listed risky behaviors, according to the distracted driving dangers and statistics from the NHTSA. It may include daydreaming, even for moments at a time, worrying about something that becomes overwhelming, turning to check on a child in the backseat, or trying to ensure a pet’s safety.
Whether the driver is so worried about something or rushing to get to work on time, any preoccupation means they are not paying close enough attention to the roadway, putting you at risk.
Speak with a Charlotte distracted driving accident lawyer, and get a free consultation today.
Call (980) 294-4931Why Hire a Charlotte Distracted Driving Attorney to Represent You
It can seem like a clear case if the other driver was distracted and caused your accident. Unfortunately, these cases are challenging for many reasons. When you hire our distracted driving lawyer in Charlotte, you benefit from our immediate support in several key areas:
- We investigate: Our legal team will gather all evidence available to support your claim. Insurance companies will do the same against you. That makes it critical that you have the legal representation you need to prove who is at fault.
- We build a maximum claim: Victims of car accidents often limit themselves by not seeking all of the losses actually owed to them. Expect our attorney to build a claim that includes all of the losses you have.
- We handle the negotiations: You do not have to deal with the insurance company yourself. We will handle the entire process on your behalf, reducing risks. Our fierce negotiators know how to get them to pay you fairly.
You do not pay our legal team anything up front. You only pay for our legal fees if you win your case. There is no risk in speaking with our Charlotte distracted-driving lawyer to discuss your case. Let us help you find out what your claim is really worth.
Get trusted legal guidance from a Charlotte Distracted Driving Accident lawyer at no cost.
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What You Do After an Accident Can Matter
Distracted driving can be difficult to prove, which is why the steps you take after the accident occurs can matter significantly. Always put your safety first by calling 911 and offering help to others who need it. When it is safe for you to do so, you can also take the following steps to preserve evidence and build your claim of distracted driving:
- Take photos of the driver, the interior of the vehicle where they were operating, the damage to the vehicles, and the surrounding area. Small bits of evidence may be available here.
- Record statements or jot down what they say they were doing at the time of the accident. Some people may admit to distraction with statements such as “I’m sorry, the baby was crying” or “I looked at the navigation screen to see where I was going.”
- Obtain witness names and contact information. Often, witnesses can testify that they saw the driver engaging in reckless or distracted driving.
In addition to this type of evidence, the police should determine if factors such as distraction, intoxication, or fatigue played a role in the accident. Please obtain medical care and follow up with any necessary medical support. Then, contact our distracted driving accident lawyer in Charlotte from Shane Smith Law for the legal guidance you need.
Distracted Driving Causes Serious Injuries
It is not uncommon for a person involved in a distracted driving accident to have severe injuries and losses. These drivers often fail to stop or slow down and may hit you head-on, where the impact and risk of loss and injury are highest. Our distracted driving accident lawyers often see significant injuries such as the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries often result in a lasting decline in cognitive function
- Back and neck pain, including the onset of whiplash
- Concussions
- Spinal cord injuries, including those resulting in paralysis
- Lacerations and open wounds that lead to stitches, surgeries, and loss of feeling
- Broken bones
- Disfigurement, including scarring and amputations
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
The impact of these accidents and the resulting injuries can create turmoil in every facet of your life, including long-term psychological damage. In all of these instances, it is crucial for victims to advocate for their right to fair compensation by hiring a skilled lawyer. When you are struggling, let our Charlotte personal injury lawyers be there for you.
Types of Damages You May Be Owed After a Distracted Driving Crash
When you meet with our Charlotte distracted driving accident attorney, we will go over the impact this accident had on your physical and mental health, as well as your finances. We can build a robust claim that includes all losses you have incurred after we have investigated your case, spoken to your doctors, and understood the extent of your injuries. Most victims are able to recover damages such as:
- Coverage for all medical bills incurred as a result of the accident
- Lost time at work due to injuries
- Loss of earning capacity if you cannot do the same type of job you were doing
- Paralysis and disability related costs
- Property damage, including repairing or replacing any real property, including your vehicle
- Emotional trauma and the onset of mental health disorders
- Pain and suffering from the incident
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of quality of life
Take a moment to think about all of the opportunities you lost because of this accident and its impact on your health, physical well-being, and financial security. Let us set our Charlotte highway accident lawyer to work on building a strong claim for you. You can trust that we will not back down.
Wrongful Death Claims in North Carolina
If your loved one lost their life due to a distracted driver, our attorneys can help you. Our Charlotte distracted driving accident lawyer will build a claim that includes all of the losses your family will continue to face after the death.
We encourage you to work with us promptly so we can obtain and preserve all evidence relevant to your case. Let us fight for justice.
Act Within the Statute of Limitations in North Carolina
Victims of car accidents must act promptly to hold those at fault accountable. The statute of limitations in North Carolina is three years, in most situations. That means you must file a lawsuit within that timeframe, or you miss your opportunity to do so.
We do not want you to wait that long, and it is rarely a good idea. Instead, we gather evidence in your case, create a maximum claim, and negotiate a settlement. Most of our cases settle faster, and out of court, saving you time and money. However, we will not agree to settle if it is not the right decision for your financial future.
Our legal team seeks a settlement only after we know all of your losses and ongoing injuries. We will not settle out of court unless the insurance company is being fair. If they are not, we will go to court and let our highly experienced trial attorneys deliver results for you.
Contact Our Distracted Driving Accident Attorneys in Charlotte Now
At Shane Smith Law, our distracted driving accident attorney in Charlotte is dedicated to providing victims with unwavering support throughout the claims process for damages.
Expect our legal team to serve as your advocates, helping gather evidence to support your claims regarding distracted driving and demonstrating the extent of your losses. Schedule a complimentary consultation to discover how we can assist you during this challenging time.
