Drivers in and around Carlisle, Pennsylvania, have a responsibility to remain alert and focused while driving. However, many people get distracted behind the wheel — and sometimes, that break in focus is enough to cause an accident.
Marzzacco Niven & Associates has helped countless victims of distracted driving accidents in Carlisle, PA. We believe distracted drivers should be held accountable for their negligence. If you’ve been injured by a driver who failed to pay attention, get in touch with our Carlisle distracted driving accident lawyers today at (717) 995-8732
Why Choose Marzzacco Niven & Associates to Help After a Distracted Driving Accident in Carlisle, PA?
If you’re like many injured people, this may be your first time encountering the legal system. You need the help of an experienced attorney to advocate for you and guide you through the process.
Here are a few reasons to consider working with our Carlisle car accident attorneys:
- We’ve been representing injury victims in Central Pennsylvania for decades
- Our attorneys have more than 120 years of combined experience
- We make it our mission to recover fair car accident settlements for all clients
- We’ve been recognized by Best Lawyers and other prestigious organizations
- We’ve handled more than 250 trials
- We’ll focus on building an individualized case for you
- We’ll keep you informed while we handle the logistics of your case
Our team works on a contingency basis, meaning you’ll only pay if we win. Contact us today to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation with a Carlisle personal injury attorney.
What Kinds of Distractions Cause Accidents?
When most people think of distracted driving, they imagine texting behind the wheel. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), however, distracted driving includes any activity that diverts attention from the road.
Some of the distractions that most commonly cause crashes include:
Texting
Texting is one of the best-known types of distracted driving. It’s especially dangerous because it takes drivers’ eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, and focus off traffic, all at once.
Interacting With Passengers
It’s often safe to chat with passengers while driving. However, if passengers are loud or otherwise distracting, your attention can easily be pulled from the road.
Adjusting Controls
Changing your music selection or using a navigation app might not seem dangerous. However, taking your hand off the wheel makes it harder to control your vehicle. And if you don’t remember exactly where a particular button or control is located, adjusting it can also mean taking your eyes off the road.
Eating or Grooming
Both of these distractions involve taking at least one hand off the wheel. If you’re eating while driving, there’s also a risk of choking, which is dangerous to everyone on the road. Grooming (including fixing your hair or putting on makeup) behind the wheel is particularly dangerous because it often involves checking your reflection in one or more of the car’s mirrors.
Daydreaming
Driving distracted doesn’t always mean using your eyes and hands to do something other than operate your vehicle. Even daydreaming or letting your mind wander can impact your attention and reaction time enough to cause a crash.
How Do You Prove the Other Driver Was Distracted?
If you’ve been hurt in a car or truck accident caused by a distracted driver, the first thing your attorney will do after taking your case is go to work gathering evidence. To ensure that your claim is as strong as possible, your Carlisle car accident lawyer will probably want to find some proof that the at-fault driver was distracted.
There’s no guarantee that you’ll be able to reliably prove distraction. However, your attorney might look for a few different kinds of evidence, including the following:
Cell Phone Records
In some cases, your Carlisle personal injury lawyer might be able to obtain the other driver’s cell phone records. If there’s evidence that they opened or sent a text at the time of the accident, that may be enough to suggest that distraction caused the crash (or at least contributed to it).
Traffic Camera Footage
Traffic cameras are useful in many cases involving motor vehicle accidents in Carlisle. However, while camera footage will usually show the crash itself, it can’t always indicate whether the driver was distracted at the time.
Eyewitness Testimony
Witness testimony can be incredibly valuable in distracted driving cases. For instance, if a passenger in the at-fault driver’s car testifies that the driver was scrolling through social media at the time of the crash, it can substantially strengthen your lawyer’s argument.
Contact Our Carlisle Distracted Driving Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Distracted driving crashes are tragic because they’re preventable. We know that recovering compensation won’t heal your injuries or undo your accident. However, a successful settlement can cover the cost of your medical care and enable you to support yourself as you heal.
If you’re struggling in the aftermath of a distracted driving accident, Marzzacco Niven & Associates can help. Contact us to schedule your free consultation with a Carlisle distracted driving accident attorney.