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Distracted Driving Accident Attorney Franklin County, MO
Distracted Driving Accident Attorney in Franklin County, MO. If a distracted driver injured you or a loved one, you need to talk to a distracted driving attorney right away. At Burger Law, we have a team of devoted and talented Franklin County, MO distracted driving accident attorneys that will fight on your behalf, hold the at-fault party accountable for your injuries and insist that you get the compensation you deserve to help you on your road to recovery. Call us today at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online for a free case evaluation.
We all have to play by the rules of the road to ensure that we, our passengers and everyone else on the Franklin County, MO roads are safe. When another driver breaks those rules, behaves thoughtlessly and does not pay attention while they are behind the wheel, they put you and the people you care about directly in jeopardy. You should not have to lose wages, pay costly medical expenses and deal with painful and restrictive injuries because of someone else’s negligence, and you deserve to receive maximum compensation for their thoughtless behavior.
The distracted driving attorneys at Burger Law have won every sort of distracted driving case, and we have the experience, know-how and resolve to get you full compensation for your injuries from your Franklin County, MO distracted driving accident. We handle all communication, documentation and litigation for you so you can concentrate on recovering from your injuries. We fight on your behalf and do not require any legal fees until we have won your case and helped you get the financial recovery you are owed. Call us today at (314) 500-HURT for a free case evaluation with an experienced Franklin County, MO distracted driving accident attorney. We will get started on your case right away.
Distracted Driving Statistics
We have likely all witnessed distracted drivers on the street, and you may even have done it yourself. That said, much of the statistics we have about distracted driving is even more startling. The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety estimates that nearly 9 in 10 drivers use their phones in some capacity while driving, and cell phone caused accidents grown by 30 percent between 2014 and 2018. In Missouri, there were 408 fatalities in distracted driving accidents from 2016 to 2020, and thousands more people have been hurt. In 2017, Missouri officially attributed 21,058 crashes to distracted drivers, which far surpasses the sum of drunk driving accidents (5,321) and is greater than speed-related accidents (19,535).
Missouri Revised Statutes §304.820 restricts cell phone use while behind the wheel, but only for drivers who are 21 years of age or younger or commercial drivers, even though seven out of ten accidents caused by cell phone usage were over 21 years old. In fact, nearly one out of four drivers in distracted driving crashes are between 20 and 29 years old. Although new laws have been a big issue in the state government lately, Missouri is still only one of two states that does not have a no texting law for all drivers , nor are there any other distracted driving laws in the state. This can make Franklin County, MO roads especially unpredictable for Franklin County, MO drivers, passengers and pedestrians. That is why it is essential to know that the distracted driving accident attorneys at Burger Law are here for you and will fight by your side if a distracted driver hurts you.
While the letter of the law may not hold everybody accountable, you can be confident that the distracted driving accident attorneys at Burger Law will. Despite the fact that texting while driving is not against the law in Franklin County, MO, an irresponsible driver can still be found liable for any injuries you sustain. Driving distracted still breaks our safety, requiring Franklin County, MO road users to driver in a way that is safe. As your Franklin County, MO distracted driving accident attorney, the Burger Law legal team has helped hundreds of Franklin County, MO residents recover full compensation when another motorist breaks the rules and hurts them. We have tried every type of distracted driving case, and crafty Franklin County, MO insurance companies are afraid of us because they know we take on – and win – the tough cases. Call a Franklin County, MO Burger Law distracted driving accident attorney today at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online for a complimentary consultation and get started on the journey toward full recovery and maximum compensation. Your accomplished Franklin County, MO distracted driving accident lawyer will start working on your case and fighting for you straight away and will work tirelessly until you get the money you are entitled to.
Common Types of Driving Distractions
There are many ways a Franklin County, MO driver can become distracted and cause a distracted driving accident. Burger Law’s distracted driving accident attorneys know the best way to prove any type of case to maximize your compensation. We have seen every type of distracted driving accident, and, usually, there are three main kinds of of distractions.
Manual Distractions
These occur when the driver’s hands are occupied, {causing them to no longer have complete control of the vehicle. Even if one hand is still on the wheel, a driver’s reaction time is significantly lowered. A few instances of typical manual distractions are:
- Texting, making a call, or otherwise using your phone
- Eating or drinking
- Adjusting the radio or temperature
- Changing clothes, taking off a coat, applying makeup, combing your hair or other “grooming” activities
- Getting something out of your purse, wallet, or pocket
Visual Distractions
These are distractions that result in you taking your eyes off the road. Sometimes visual and manual distractions coincide. Some examples include:
- Looking at a GPS device, map, or otherwise looking at directions
- Looking at another passenger or in the backseat
- Looking around instead of ahead, such as at a roadside attraction, sign, or crash
- Looking at your phone
- Looking in the mirror and checking your appearance
Cognitive Distractions
These happen when a driver takes their mind off the road. These can be hazardous because while it might seem that a driver is driving properly, they are still not focusing or as alert as they should be. They can be:
- Concentrating too much on an audiobook or song
- Daydreaming
- Paying too much attention to a conversation with another person in the car or on a hands-free device
- Being anxious or preoccupied with something else
- Other passengers, such as kids or pets, need something or need to be disciplined
As you can notice, cell phones are a leading cause of distracted driving accidents because they can result in manual, visual and cognitive distractions. When you are driving, it is essential to keep away from your phone so you do not cause a distracted driving accident. If you sustained injuries because another Franklin County, MO driver was distracted and behaved carelessly, call the distracted driving attorneys at Burger Law and we will get started on your case straight away. We will stay dedicated to your case until you receive the full compensation you are entitled to. We insist on full payment for your distracted driving accident damages.
How to Prove a Distracted Driving Case
While you may or may not have noticed that the other driver was an obviously distracted driver, it can be hard to demonstrate beyond doubt to a resistant Franklin County, MO insurance company or in a court of law. A accomplished, committed and tenacious distracted driving accident attorney like those at Burger Law will be able to prove the at-fault driver was distracted. Below is some of the evidence you could use and how your distracted driving accident attorney can utilize it to prove your claim and demand your full recovery.
The Scene of the Accident. If you are able to, react quickly after you were hit in a distracted driving accident and accumulate evidence at the scene of the crash. This can include pictures of both vehicles and the area surrounding the accident. Most drivers will try to veer sharply or break quickly before causing a crash. If there are no tire or brake marks, it could help show that the person who crashed into you was not paying attention. This is why it is essential to take photographs of the area if possible. Surveillance video in which the other driver did not turn or brake could also help your suit. The Franklin County, MO distracted driving accident attorneys at Burger Law will acquire any video evidence and thoroughly review any photographs or other evidence.
Eyewitness Accounts.The more people who say they saw that the other driver was clearly distracted, the stronger your case will be. If other people saw the accident and saw that the other driver was eating, texting or not concentrating on the road ahead, they can give official statements to support your suit. If you hire Burger Law, your Franklin County, MO distracted driving accident attorney and legal team will conduct depositions and collect official statements on your behalf. You only need to make certain you get any witnesses’ contact information at the scene.
Social Media Activity. If the other driver tweeted an article, posted a photo on Instagram or performed any other action on a social media app in the moments leading up to the crash, it almost certainly means they were distracted by their phone. Your Burger Law distracted driving accident lawyer will take care of collecting this information to build your case.
The Distracted Driver’s Cell Phone Records. Even if there is no social media trail, the irresponsible driver’s cell phone company will have usage reports with a record of whether or not they were likely looking at their phone when the accident occurred. If the driver was texting, there will be proof of it. An experienced distracted driving accident attorney will subpoena those records to help prove your case.
Use the Police Reports. Police officers are trained to examine accidents and judge who was at fault. If the Franklin County, MO police officer at the scene decided the other motorist was distracted and was responsible for the accident, it will mean a great deal when convincing a judge, jury or resistant insurance company that you deserve to be compensated for your damages.
Use a Crash Expert. Crash experts have years of experience in reviewing all available evidence and deciding fault in car accidents. Burger Law’s group of distracted driving accident lawyers has a great network of Franklin County, MO experts we trust and work with to ensure you get the best possible compensation for your injuries.
Contact Burger Law. Our devoted and skilled distracted driving accident attorneys enjoy taking on difficult cases to get our clients the recovery they deserve. With over seventy years of combined experience, we have experience with every category of distracted driving accident and have recovered over $170 million for our clients in verdicts and settlements for their injuries. We stand up to bullies like resistant insurance companies and help make you whole again. Your Burger Law distracted driving accident lawyer will manage all official communication and litigation, and you do not owe us any fees until you get the compensation you are entitled to. Call us today at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online for a complimentary case evaluation, and we will start working on winning your case right away.
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How to Avoid Being a Distracted Driver
While Missouri’s distracted driving laws may be light, you should still use extreme caution whenever you drive. There are a number of steps you can take to keep yourself, your passengers, other drivers and other pedestrians safe.
Eat before you leave. While doing two things at once can seem like a useful time-saver, it can also cause unnecessary dangers on the road. Taking a few extra minutes to eat before getting behind the wheel can help keep you and others safe.
Get ready before you leave. Similar to eating behind the wheel, shaving or getting dressed while driving may save time, but considerably increases your odds of personal injury or injuring somebody else.
Know where you are going. Review directions before you leave so you will not have to concentrate on your phone when you are driving. While driving, turn the volume up on any GPS device so you will be able to hear the directions. On the other hand, if you have a passenger, have them manage the directions so you can keep your eyes on the road ahead.
If you are exhausted, pull over or have someone else drive. Not only are you risking falling asleep at the wheel, but drowsiness increases the odds of an accident by almost four times, and over a third of drivers have admitted to nodding off or falling asleep while driving at least once in their lives.
Change the radio and settings before getting on the road. Adjust the seat, mirrors, temperature, music and sound system before you take the car out of park. You need to have your complete focus on the road while you are in the driver’s seat.
Secure children and pets. Looking at or reaching to the backseat or passenger seat can lead to a manual, visual and cognitive distraction. If something happens and they need your attention, it is best to pull over to the side of the road.
Keep your eyes on the road. Your entire concentration should be on the road in front of you and your mirrors so that you can see what is happening around you. While that weird roadside attraction may look interesting, taking a second to admire it is not worth putting you and others at peril.
Unfortunately, you can do everything right when you are behind the wheel and you or a loved one can still be injured because another person broke the rules of the road. When that happens, you need to contact the distracted driving accident lawyers of Burger Law immediately so we can use our expertise and knowledge to help you get maximum recovery and start to make you whole again. We understand distracted driving accident cases, we know how to argue them and we know how to insist on the best possible compensation for your damages.
The Franklin County, MO lawyers of Burger Law have the experience and knowledge to help you receive the full recovery you deserve after any accident or injury caused by someone else leaves you injured. Learn more about our fields of expertise below.
- Truck Crash Lawyers in Missouri
- Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer in Missouri
- Car Accident Attorney in Missouri
Hire the Distracted Driving Lawyers at Burger Law Today
If you or a loved one has been injured because someone else broke the rules of the road and acted irresponsibly, you are entitled to full compensation for your injuries. The Franklin County, MO distracted driving accident attorneys at Burger Law hold distracted drivers accountable and stand up to unethical insurance companies who are more concerned about their bottom line than your well-being. We have the experience, savvy, work ethic and resolve to fight in your corner from beginning to end, to win your case and to get you the maximum compensation to help you protect your family’s future. If another Franklin County, MO driver was distracted and caused your injuries or the injuries of a loved one, you should not have to deal with the stress of medical bills, lost wages or lost future earnings, pain and suffering and mental anguish. Call us today a (314) 500-HURT or contact us online for a free case evaluation and to find out more about what Burger Law will do to get you back on your feet and make you whole again.