More than 400,000 people were injured in automobile accidents caused by distracted driving in 2014. Although there are several things that could potentially distract a driver, such as grooming, talking to a passenger, looking at a GPS screen or even eating, texting remains the most dangerous activity a person can do while they are behind the wheel of a car.
When a person receives a text message, they open it, read it and respond to it. All of these actions take a driver’s attention off the road and because they require manual, visual and cognitive actions, drivers who text are likely to get into accidents. While the majority of the accidents are minor and many are related to the driver over-correcting when they realize they swerved outside of their lane, more than 3,000 were fatal in the same year.
Whether the crash is minor or severe, the innocent victim of a distracted driver is entitled to compensation. In some cases, the driver’s insurance company will try to get the victim to accept a quick settlement. By taking this offer, which often only includes the money necessary to make obvious car repairs, the victim may give up their right to seek further compensation if they need additional medical treatment or if some car problems were undetected at the time of the accident. An auto accident injury law attorney in Spokane WA may be able to help a victim avoid this situation.
A driver or passenger who might be injured in an accident should always seek medical attention right away. The cost of the exam and any necessary treatment should be covered by the negligent driver’s auto insurance so an injured victim should not forgo medical care due to the cost. An Auto Accident Injury Law Attorney in Spokane WA may be able to help get these expenses paid by the insurance company.
Before accepting a lowball settlement offer, contact us today to learn more about how an attorney can help. Hiring an attorney doesn’t mean a lawsuit will be filed or that the case will go before a judge. However, the negotiating skills of an attorney may help a driver or their passenger get the money they need to get back to their regular routine.
