If you’ve been hurt or lost a family member in a distracted driving accident in Harrisburg, PA, call Marzzacco Niven & Associates. You may be entitled to compensation, and our Harrisburg car accident lawyers can help you fight to get every dollar you deserve.
At Marzzacco Niven & Associates, our attorneys have more than 120 years of combined experience. We’ve helped crash victims in central Pennsylvania win millions of dollars in financial awards. We’re award-winning, respected litigators ready to help you win your case.
Contact our law office in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania at (717) 231-1640 to learn more. We offer a free consultation and are standing by to take your call 24 hours a day.
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How Our Harrisburg Car Accident Attorneys Can Help After a Distracted Driving Crash
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of avoidable car crashes. And they can be among the most catastrophic. The driver isn’t paying attention, which means that they can do a lot of damage in the blink of an eye.
Filing a personal injury lawsuit after a distracted driving crash can help you win compensation for your medical bills, loss of income, and suffering. It can also serve as a warning to distracted drivers in Harrisburg: there are consequences for your actions.
The Harrisburg distracted driving accident lawyers at Marzzacco Niven & Associates can help you make things right.
Call us for help after your accident with a distracted driver, and we’ll:
- Launch a thorough investigation
- Gather evidence to prove that you were hurt because another driver was distracted behind the wheel
- Bring in experts to help as we build your case and determine what it’s worth
- Defend you if others attempt to say that you share responsibility for the crash
- Negotiate with other parties and insurance companies to get you top dollar
- Have an experienced trial attorney bring your case to a jury in Dauphin County, if necessary
Focus on getting better. Let Marzzacco Niven & Associates handle your fight for compensation. Call our personal injury lawyers in Harrisburg to learn more about how we can help.
How Common Are Distracted Driving Accidents?
According to the CDC, at least 424,000 people were injured, and another 3,100 were killed in distracted driving collisions in 2019.
That means 1,170 people are injured or killed in distracted driving accidents every single day.
Distracted driving doesn’t just put motorists and their passengers at risk. Car accident statistics reveal that one out of every five accidents involving driver distraction involves a pedestrian, bicyclist, or other non-motorist.
Teens Are More Likely to Drive While Distracted and Cause Accidents
Teenagers and young adults are less experienced than other drivers on the road. They simply haven’t spent a lot of time behind the wheel. At the same time, they’re the ones that are more likely to use technology while they’re driving.
That’s a recipe for disaster.
Young drivers between the ages of 15 and 20 were responsible for nine percent of the deadly wrecks caused by distracted driving in 2019. That’s nearly one out of every ten of those fatal collisions.
What Is Distracted Driving?
Driver distraction involves much more than using a cell phone.
In fact, there are three different types of distracted driving:
- Visual distraction: the driver’s eyes are diverted from the road
- Manual distraction: the driver’s hands are removed from the steering wheel
- Cognitive distraction: the driver’s mind wanders away from the task of driving
Some behaviors, like texting, can fall into more than one category.
Examples of driver distraction include:
- Texting and driving
- Using a phone to send an email or check an app
- Making a phone call while driving (even with a hands-free device)
- Reaching to grab something in the backseat
- Handing something to a passenger
- Applying makeup or cosmetics
- Eating food
- Drinking
- Daydreaming
- Having a conversation with a passenger
- Using a GPS or trying to find a song on the radio
- Smoking
- Reading
- Rubbernecking
Any behavior that diverts a driver’s focus from the road – physically or mentally – can be considered a distraction.
Does Pennsylvania Have Any Distracted Driving Laws?
Yes, Pennsylvania has a ban on texting and driving.
Under the law, it’s illegal for drivers to use an “Interactive Wireless Communication Device” (IWCD) to “send, read, or write” a “text-based communication” while their vehicle is in motion.
An IWCD is defined to include cell phones, smartphones, laptops and mobile computers, and other devices that can be used for sending texts or emails.
A “text-based communication” is a message that’s composed or received on an IWCD. This can include texts, messages or comments on social media apps, and emails.
There’s a $50 fine for violating Pennsylvania’s texting while driving ban.
If you’re involved in a motor vehicle accident with a distracted driver, call the police. If a citation is issued, it can be helpful if you file a negligence lawsuit for damages.
Call Our Car Accident Lawyers After a Distracted Driving Accident in Harrisburg
Were you recently involved in an auto accident in Harrisburg, PA with a distracted driver? Don’t let them off the hook. Hold them accountable for the financial devastation and pain and suffering they’ve caused.
Call Marzzacco Niven & Associates and find out how our Harrisburg distracted driving accident attorneys can help you fight for maximum compensation. Your first case evaluation is 100% free. And since we work on contingency, there’s no cost to hire our law firm unless we win your case.