Texting while driving continues to be a serious problem in St. Louis, Missouri. However, there are many additional types of distractions that cause car crashes. At Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers, our St. Louis distracted driving accident lawyers work with clients to get them the compensation they deserve. Call (314) 400-0000 today to schedule a free consultation.
Our St. Louis. Personal injury lawyers have decades of experience handling car accident cases.
If you were injured in a motor vehicle crash, contact our law firm for a free consultation. Talk with an accident attorney in St. Louis, MO, free of charge about seeking compensation for your injuries and damages.
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How Our St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help if a Distracted Driver Injured You
Our commitment to our clients and fighting for accident victims shows in the results that we obtain. In fact, our St. Louis personal injury attorneys at The Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers consistently receive the highest peer ratings from other attorneys and judges.
We also earn the highest rating from clients for attorney-client relationships, results, and customer service. The Missouri Lawyers’ Weekly even featured our St. Louis car accident attorneys for obtaining top settlements and verdicts for our clients.
When you hire our legal team in St. Louis, MO, you can expect us to:
- Perform an exhaustive accident investigation to gather evidence
- Identify the parties liable for your claim
- File insurance claims and deal with insurance adjusters and other parties
- Fight for the maximum compensation available for your injury claim
- Keep you advised of the progress of your case and consult you on all significant decisions regarding your claim
- Monitor deadlines for filing personal injury lawsuits
- Protect your best interests inside and outside of the courtroom
Call now to schedule your free consultation with one of our experienced St. Louis injury attorneys. Get the legal advice you need before you talk to an insurance adjuster about an accident claim or settlement offer.
How Common Are Distracted Driving Accidents in St. Louis?
The Centers for Disease Control state that approximately eight people die each day in crashes involving a distracted driver. On average, more than 3,000 people have been killed annually in distracted driving crashes since 2010.
Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of traffic accidents in Missouri. In 2019, distracted drivers were involved in 19,243 traffic accidents. Those accidents resulted in 79 deaths and 5,222 injuries.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 24 people died in St. Louis between 2015 and 2019 because of distracted driving. Additionally, the number of traffic fatalities caused by distracted driving increased from three traffic fatalities in 2015 to nine traffic fatalities in 2019.
However, because distracted driving is usually self-reported by the driver, these types of car accidents may be severely unreported.
Overview of Distracted Driving Accidents
Accidents involving distracted drivers can cause serious injuries. However, these accidents are avoidable.
What Are Common Causes of Distracted Driving Accidents?
The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported the causes of distracted driving accidents for 2019.
Common distractions resulting in accidents included:
- Passengers
- Stereo/audio/video equipment
- Handheld and hands-free communication devices (talking on a cell phone while driving)
- Emailing or texting while driving
- Web browsing while driving
- Eating and drinking
- Reading
- Tobacco use
- Grooming
- Use of computer equipment or electronic games
- Adjusting vehicle controls
- External distractions
There are many other forms of distracted driving. Any distraction that takes your focus away from operating the vehicle is a potentially deadly decision.
The main types of distractions while driving are manual, visual, and cognitive. Actions that involve all three types of distractions are the deadliest. Cell phone use while driving involves all three types of distractions.
Common Types of Injuries Caused by Distracted Driving Accidents
The injuries from a distracted driving crash can be traumatic and life-changing.
Common injuries may include:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Paralysis
- Skull fractures
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back and neck injuries
- Amputations
- Severe burns
- Internal organ damage
- Whiplash
Some victims may sustain injuries that result in a wrongful death. Injuries from the accident could result in disabilities and permanent impairments. The cost of treatment, loss of income, and the pain & suffering over a lifetime could be nearly impossible to measure.
Who is Liable for a Distracted Driving Accident?
The driver who causes a traffic accident in St. Louis is liable for damages caused by the collision.
Therefore, if a distracted driver causes a crash, the driver could be liable for damages such as:
- The cost of diagnosing and treating accident injuries
- Personal care costs and the cost of long-term care
- Losses of income and benefits, including reductions in future earning potential
- Physical pain and suffering
- Scarring, disfigurement, disabilities, and permanent impairments
- Mental anguish and suffering
- Emotional distress and psychological conditions
- Loss of quality of life and enjoyment of life
The value of a personal injury claim depends on the facts of a case. It is in a victim’s best interest to seek legal counsel before accepting a settlement offer or signing any documents for an insurance company. Moreover, Missouri law limits your time to file a distracted driving accident to five years. While this may sound like a long time, your attorney will need adequate time to investigate your case.
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Schedule a Free Consultation With Our St. Louis Distracted Driving Accident Lawyers
If you or a family member is involved in a car accident with a distracted driver, we are here to help. Contact our offices to schedule a free consultation with one of our St. Louis distracted driving accident attorneys.
