Distracted Driving: A Top Cause of Auto Accidents in Philadelphia

Distractions in our daily lives are plentiful, yet a distraction while driving is among the most dangerous hazards for motorists.  While there has been a concerted effort to increase understanding of this critical issue, many drivers disregard warnings and efforts at educating the public on this leading cause of car crashes. 

The end result of many distracted driving accidents are injured motorists, pedestrians and cyclists. In addition to physical injuries, victims of distracted driving accidents incur medical bills, missed time at work, and a diminished quality of life. 

Being injured due to the negligence of a distracted driver does not need to be the end of your story. Instead, consider contacting Philadelphia car accident attorney, Anthony C, Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C. to discuss your case. Maximum compensation for injuries, time away from work as well as pain and suffering is where our team of legal professionals excels. A free of charge consultation is only a phone call away. 

How is Distracted Driving Defined?

Whenever a driver’s attention is pulled away from the road, for any reason, that is the definition of distracted driving. 

It goes without saying that distracted drivers are less attuned to the road than non-distracted drivers. The less attention being paid to the road the more likely accidents are to occur. 

Whenever a motorist’s eyes are diverted from the road this is known as a visual distraction. Looking momentarily at a map on a family trip can still cause a significant accident. Likewise, paying too close attention to a family group-text message can also cause an accident which has the potential to cause serious injuries. 

Even if a driver’s eyes do not leave the road that does not mean he or she is completely able to pay attention. A mental distraction due to stress, daydreaming or simple lack of focus can force a driver to take their mind off staying safe. With reaction times down and the driver’s mind in a thousand places the chances of an accident happening increases dramatically. 

What Types of Accidents Commonly Result from Distracted Driving?

In the age of text messaging, perhaps the most common type of accident is the rear-end collision. Slowing traffic on a highway or street causes you to stop earlier than you would have anticipated. However, the vehicle behind you does not notice the abrupt stopping because he was texting with a friend. A moment later, he slams into the rear bumper of your vehicle. 

Accidents occur frequently in intersections, and distracted driving heightens the risk. The more distracted a driver is, the more he is likely to miss a light or other traffic signal. Unfortunately, intersection accidents often involve a number of vehicles 

Finally, one of the most serious types of distracted driving accidents is an auto-pedestrian accident. In these cases, the injuries are almost always devastating, if not fatal. 

What are Pennsylvania’s Laws Concerning Distracted Driving?

It is illegal in Pennsylvania to text and drive simultaneously. Significant fines and penalties result if you are found guilty of having done so. Beyond text messaging, drivers cannot use handheld devices while operating their vehicles. 

The aforementioned concerns regarding looking at the internet or sending text messages is against the law in Pennsylvania. It is still possible to use the internet to talk with someone on your phone or to use GPS technology. However, a driver must do so only if the handheld device is attached to a stand and utilized in hands-free mode. 

Lastly, drivers can be charged with the more open-ended crime of “reckless driving” when they operate their vehicle in an unsafe manner. 

What Should You Do After Being Injured in a Distracted Driving Accident?

After being involved in an accident with a distracted driver, it is critical to receive medical care. In many situations, a person will walk away from an accident and not feel pain of any type- at least, immediately. That does not mean that the pain will stay at bay forever –rather, the day or two following the accident typically reveal the extent of your injuries. Receiving an immediate check-up or set of diagnoses can help you determine how severely, if at all, you were injured. 

Once you begin to receive medical care and file an insurance claim against the at-fault driver, you can start to collect valuable evidence. Evidence in your case depends in large part upon the situation you find yourself in. For instance, if you were injured in an accident that took place in a well-traveled area, there may be eyewitnesses or at least surveillance footage of what happened. In that case, you need to reach out and determine what evidence is available to support your claim. 

Being injured in a car accident, receiving medical care, being responsible for medical bills, and missing work are bad enough. On top of that, dealing with an insurance company that seeks to underpay seemingly every claim filed against them is also a frustrating ordeal. An experienced Philadelphia car accident attorney can help you manage your case while advocating for your rights. 

Real World Example: An Experienced Philadelphia Car Accident Attorney Understands How to Prove Liability 

Anthony C. Gagliano, III, served a client who was injured in a Philadelphia motor vehicle accident. She was following the rules of the road and paying close attention while on her way to work one morning. Unfortunately, all of her diligence behind the wheel was not enough to prevent a severe accident from occurring.

Another driver drove directly into the side of her vehicle at an intersection not far from our client’s home. Our client suffered serious injuries to her neck and right shoulder. She needed surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff. Medical bills, physical therapy, and time away from work all resulted from the accident. 

During the discovery phase of her case, it was revealed that the at-fault driver was sending a text message during the accident. Anxious to receive a response, the driver continued to read the text message and completely missed a red light. Thus, she was fully at fault as she hit our client.

Contact Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C. Today

For a free consultation, please contact Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C., today. The longer you wait to speak to a legal professional, the higher the chance of your case suffering a major mistake. Insurance companies take advantage of people who are unfamiliar with the claims process. 

Don’t become a statistic. Stand up for yourself and begin your Philadelphia car accident lawyer Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C., helps injured people navigate a complex legal system in order to win maximum compensation.