Distracted driving is a huge problem nowadays. It can be very dangerous to get behind the wheel when so many other people are texting, talking on the phone, or otherwise not paying attention on the road. If a distracted driver recently hit you, you need to take certain steps to ensure you have the best chance of getting compensation for your injuries.

The W. Winston Briggs Law Firm can represent you in your distracted driving case. W. Winston Briggs, who founded the firm, has tried more than 200 jury trials throughout his career. He is an experienced litigator who has a reputation for retrieving higher settlements for his clients. When you’ve been in a distracted driving accident in Atlanta, Georgia, Florida, and surrounding areas and you need someone who will fight for you, you can contact W. Winston Briggs Law Firm.

Distracted Driving Statistics

In recent years, distracted driving has become a much bigger issue because we’re increasingly relying on our devices in our everyday lives. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2019, 3,142 people died in the United States due to distracted driving.

Distracted driving is when a driver is doing anything that takes their attention away from the road. This could include texting, talking on the phone, using apps, looking at directions, eating, drinking, staring at an object outside, and talking to another passenger in the car. If a driver takes their eyes off the road for five seconds while driving 55 mph, it’s as if they drove the length of a football field while closing their eyes.

In Georgia, just 45% of respondents to a survey said that they always followed the state’s distracted driving laws. That’s scary. If you’re on the road and you get hit and injured, then don’t fret, because there are actions you can take to secure the compensation you deserve.

What to Do If a Distracted Driver Hits You

If you believe someone was distracted when they hit and injured you, then you’ll need to try to get as much proof as possible to demonstrate your case. This means that if you see the defendant’s cell phone on the seat of their car, snap a photo of it. If there is makeup or food or any other object on the seat, take a photo of it as well. If there are witnesses, ask them what they saw and record their answers. If there are surveillance cameras from stores or traffic cameras that may have caught the incident on tape, write down their locations.

Then, it’s important to call the cops. They might question the defendant, who just may admit that they were using their cell phone when the accident occurred. Or, another passenger who was in the defendant’s cart may say that the driver was indeed distracted. This should all be on record and could be useful to you later on.

Additionally, you can call up a personal injury lawyer to help your case. They might be able to subpoena the defendant’s phone records to see if they were using the phone. A lawyer could also try to look at the police records and call a crash expert to analyze the scene of the accident. For instance, a telltale sign that a driver was distracted is a lack of brake marks on the ground. Think about it: If you’re driving and you see someone crossing the street, you will brake as quickly as possible. But if you were distracted, you would just keep going. A crash expert will be able to give you a more definitive answer on what happened.

Other Steps to Take When a Distracted Driver Hits You

You’ll need to take some further steps to make your case as strong as possible. They include taking photographs of your injuries and damage to your car and personal belongings if you were also driving, as well as collecting the other driver’s name, contact information, and insurance provider and policy number. If they panic and offer you cash not to call up the cops or the insurance company, do not accept it. It might hurt your chances of getting a bigger settlement down the line.

It’s critical to go to the hospital right away and get your injuries assessed. You should get a full checkup and tell the doctor about pain anywhere in your body, even if it’s just a mild case of whiplash. Get X-rays done, take any medicine the doctor prescribes you, and go to all your follow-up appointments as needed.

If the defendant’s insurance company calls you to provide you with a settlement, it’s going to be too low, and you should not accept it. You may think it’s enough to cover your injuries, but you never know what could happen. That whiplash could stay with you for months on end. You may also experience back pain. Your medical bills could end up costing you thousands of dollars. You may have to take time off of work and buy special medical equipment. Since you can’t predict the future, it’s best to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer who can negotiate a fair settlement for you.

That’s where The W. Winston Briggs Law Firm comes in. 

What The W. Winston Briggs Law Firm Can Do For You

When a distracted driver has hit you, all you want to do is focus on getting better. You don’t want to get involved in a lawsuit, which will just cause you more stress. At the same time, you believe you’re owed money for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. The W. Winston Briggs Law Firm would be happy to help you with your distracted driving case and pursue the damages you deserve.

Now is the time to reach out to The W. Winston Briggs Law Firm. Contact us online or call us at (404) 522-1500. We’ll work hard to get you the compensation that’s rightfully yours so you can move forward with your life in a meaningful and productive way. Get in touch now for assistance.