In 2022, a total of 3,047 fatal traffic crashes involving a distracted driver occurred nationwide. Distracted driving occurs in all states and among all age groups, making it an issue that you could come across any time you get on any Missouri road. If you suffer injuries in this type of collision, it’s crucial that you know what your next steps should be.
At Eason Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers, our Richmond Heights distracted driving accident lawyers can help you understand your legal options and assist you in the process of getting fair compensation. We have 21 years of combined legal experience.
Call our law firm in Richmond Heights, MO at (314) 932-1066 to schedule a free consultation.
How Eason Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After An Accident Caused by a Distracted Driver In Richmond Heights, MO
If you’ve been in a car accident in Richmond Heights, Missouri that was the result of another party’s negligence, you may be entitled to file a personal injury claim to receive compensation for the losses you sustained. However, these claims are never simple, and you shouldn’t attempt to file them alone.
The team of Richmond Heights car accident attorneys at Eason Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers can help. We offer a number of services that can make the process a bit easier, including the following:
- An in-depth claim assessment during a free consultation
- An investigation into the accident
- Collection of evidence, including expert witness statements
- Negotiations with insurance companies to achieve a settlement
- Litigation, if a settlement isn’t possible
We’ve been recognized by The National Trial Lawyers and The American Association for Justice. We are a client-centered law firm, so we will never treat you as “just another claim.”
Contact our Richmond Heights personal injury lawyers today to learn more about our services and how we can work with you to help seek compensation for your losses.
Understanding Distracted Driving
Distracted driving refers to a person engaging in any other activity while behind the wheel. Many will immediately point to cell phone usage as a primary example of the behavior, and though it is the most common problem, it’s not the only one.
Distractions can come in all kinds of different forms, such as:
- Eating or drinking
- Self-grooming
- Speaking with passengers
- Reading road signs and billboards
- Changing radio stations
- Checking the GPS
Any of these will take a driver’s attention and eyes away from the road in front of them, leaving them unable to notice hazards in time to avoid them.
Interestingly, danger could arise not just at the moment of distraction; some studies show that a person can struggle to concentrate for up to a minute after the distraction has ended. That’s a significant amount of time in which the driver might not be fully focused on what they’re doing, and the results can be deadly.
What To Do After A Distracted Driving Accident
After being involved in a distracted driving accident in Missouri, some crucial steps to take to protect your future claim include the following:
Get Paramedics To The Scene
Whether you think you’re injured or not, getting emergency personnel to the scene of the accident is essential. Many times, the sheer adrenaline rush of being in an accident can mask pain, so you may not even notice that you’ve been hurt. Some injuries can also be more difficult to spot than others, especially concussions and other brain injuries.
Getting assessed by professionals ensures that you get medical care quickly. It also begins a record of the injuries you suffered that you can use later for your claim.
Call The Police
Get the police to the site and provide them with as much information about what happened as possible. Additionally, ask a responding officer how you can get a copy of their report, as you’ll need it for any legal action you pursue.
Gather Evidence
Unless you need to go to the hospital, don’t leave the scene of the accident without first getting photos and videos of the vehicles and any markings on the street, as well as any other evidence that can help prove liability. If there were eyewitnesses, ask them for their contact information as well.
Contact Your Insurer And A Lawyer
Make a call to your insurer to let them know that you were in a collision, and then contact a lawyer to ensure you are represented from the very start of your legal journey. With legal assistance, the process can be simpler and less stressful.
Contact Our Richmond Heights Distracted Driving Accident Lawyers For A Free Consultation
If you’ve suffered injuries in a distracted driving accident, the team at Eason Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers can help. Call us to speak with a Richmond Heights distracted driving accident lawyer about your claim today.