Getting you back on the road to recovery
Distracted Driving Accident Attorney Mount Vernon, MO
Distracted Driving Accident Attorney in Mount Vernon, MO. If a distracted driver injured you or a family member, you need to talk to a distracted driving attorney today. At Burger Law, we have a team of committed and talented Mount Vernon, MO distracted driving accident attorneys that will fight by your side, hold the responsible party accountable for your injuries and demand that you get the recovery you deserve to aid you while you heal. Call us today at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online for a free consultation.
We all have to play by the rules of the road to make sure that we, our passengers and everyone else on the Mount Vernon, MO roads are safe. When another person breaks those rules, behaves recklessly and does not pay attention while they are driving, they put you and the people you care about directly in harm’s way. You should not have to lose pay, pay expensive medical expenses and deal with painful and restrictive injuries because of someone else’s negligence, and you deserve to receive full compensation for their careless behavior.
The distracted driving attorneys at Burger Law have won every kind of distracted driving case, and we have the experience, know-how and tenacity to get you complete compensation for your injuries from your Mount Vernon, MO distracted driving accident. We manage all communication, documentation and litigation for you so you can focus on recuperating from your injuries. We fight in your corner and do not require any legal fees until we have won your case and helped you recover the financial recovery you deserve. Call us today at (314) 500-HURT for a free case review with a professional Mount Vernon, MO distracted driving accident attorney. We get to work on on your case immediately.
Distracted Driving Statistics
We have probably all observed distracted drivers on the road, and you may even have done it yourself. That said, much of the statistics we have about distracted driving is even more terrifying. The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety estimates that nearly 9 in 10 drivers use their phones in some way while driving, and cell phone caused accidents escalated by 30 percent between 2014 and 2018. In Missouri, there were 408 deaths in distracted driving accidents from 2016 to 2020, and thousands more people have been injured. In 2017, Missouri officially attributed 21,058 crashes to distracted drivers, which far exceeds the total drunk driving accidents (5,321) and is bigger than speed-related accidents (19,535).
Missouri Revised Statutes §304.820 prohibits cell phone use while driving, but only for people who are 21 years old or younger or commercial drivers, even though 70 percent of drivers whose cell phone use caused an accident were 22 or older. As a matter of fact, nearly one out of four drivers in distracted driving crashes are between the ages of 20 and 29. Even though new laws have been a hot topic in the state government as of late, Missouri is still only one of two states without a no texting law for all drivers and there are no other distracted driving laws in the state. This can cause roads to be especially hazardous for Mount Vernon, MO drivers, passengers and pedestrians. That is why it is essential to remember that the distracted driving accident attorneys at Burger Law are here for you and will stand in your corner if a distracted driver harms you.
While the letter of the law may not hold every driver responsible, you can bet that the distracted driving accident attorneys at Burger Law will. Despite the fact that there is no law against texting while driving in Mount Vernon, MO, a distracted driver can still be held responsible for any injuries you receive. Driving distracted still breaks our safety, requiring Mount Vernon, MO road users to behave in a way that is safe. As your Mount Vernon, MO distracted driving accident attorney, the Burger Law legal team has helped hundreds of individuals and families in Mount Vernon, MO no longer have full control of the vehicle. Even with just one hand on the wheel, a driver’s reaction time is significantly lowered. Some examples of common manual distractions include:
- Texting, talking, or using your phone in another manner
- Eating or drinking
- Changing the radio or temperature
- Changing clothes, removing a coat, putting on makeup, combing your hair or other “grooming” activities
- Removing something from 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 go together. Some examples are:
- 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 to check how you look
Cognitive Distractions
These happen when a driver takes their mind off the road. These can be dangerous because while it could seem that a driver is operating their vehicle 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
- Focusing too much on a conversation with someone else in the vehicle or on a hands-free device
- Being stressed out or preoccupied with other things
- Other passengers, such as kids or pets, need something or need to be disciplined
As you can imagine, cell phones are a main cause of distracted driving accidents because they can lead to manual, visual and cognitive distractions. When you drive, it is essential to avoid your phone so you do not create a distracted driving accident. If you sustained injuries because another Mount Vernon, MO driver was distracted and acted recklessly, call the distracted driving attorneys at Burger Law and we will get started on your case immediately. We will remain devoted to your case until you get the full compensation you are entitled to. We demand a full recovery for your distracted driving accident damages.
How to Prove a Distracted Driving Case
While you may or may not have seen that the other motorist was a clearly distracted driver, it can be hard to prove to a resistant Mount Vernon, MO insurance company or in a court of law. A accomplished, committed and indefatigable distracted driving accident attorney like those at Burger Law will be able to prove the other driver was distracted. Read on below for some of the evidence you could use and how your distracted driving accident attorney can leverage it to prove your claim and demand your maximum compensation.
The Scene of the Accident. If you are able to, react quickly after you have been in a distracted driving accident and gather evidence at the scene of the crash. This can include pictures of both vehicles and the area surrounding the accident. Most drivers will attempt to turn sharply or break quickly before causing a crash. If you do not see any tire or brake marks, it could help demonstrate that the person who crashed into you was distracted. This is why it is essential to take photographs of the area if possible. Surveillance video in which the other driver did not swerve or brake could also help your suit. The Mount Vernon, MO distracted driving accident attorneys at Burger Law will secure any video evidence and thoroughly review any photographs or other evidence.
Eyewitness Stories.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 noticed that the other driver was combing their hair, texting or not concentrating on the road in front of them, they can give official statements to aid your case. If you hire Burger Law, your Mount Vernon, MO distracted driving accident attorney and legal team will conduct depositions and obtain official statements on your behalf. You just need to make sure you get any witnesses’ contact information at the scene.
Social Media Activity. If the other driver made a tweet, posted a photo on Instagram or performed any other action on a social media site in the seconds leading up to the accident, it in all likelihood means they were distracted by their phone. Your Burger Law distracted driving accident lawyer will take care of acquiring this information to build your case.
The Distracted Driver’s Cell Phone Records. Even if there is no social media footprint, the thoughtless driver’s cell phone company will have usage reports showing whether or not they were likely distracted by their phone when the accident happened. 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 claim.
Use the Police Reports. Police officers are instructed on how to analyze crashed and judge who was at fault. If the Mount Vernon, MO police officer at the scene determined the other driver was distracted and was at fault in 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.
Hire a Crash Expert. Crash experts have years of experience in evaluating all available evidence and determining fault in car accidents. Burger Law’s team of distracted driving accident lawyers has a vast network of Mount Vernon, MO experts we trust and work with to make certain you get maximum compensation for your damages.
Hire Burger Law. Our devoted and skilled distracted driving accident attorneys love taking on hard cases to get our clients the recovery they deserve. With decades of combined experience, we have experience with every kind of distracted driving accident and have won our clients over $170 million in verdicts and settlements for their injuries. We stand up to bullies like resistant insurance companies and help in your recovery. Your Burger Law distracted driving accident lawyer will take care of all official communication and litigation, and you do not owe us any fees until you get the recovery you are owed. Call us today at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online for a complimentary case evaluation, and we will begin working on winning your case immediately.
Personal Injury
What Tricks Do Insurance Companies Use To Avoid Paying Claims?
When you have a personal injury claim, be aware of the tricks insurance c …
Car Accidents
Is It Worth It to Get a Lawyer for a Car Accident?
Is It Worth It to Get a Lawyer for a Car Accident? If you've been injured …
Insurance claims
What Should I Do When the Other Driver's Insurance Contacts Me?
What should I do when the other driver's insurance contacts me? The after …
How to Avoid Being a Distracted Driver
While Missouri’s distracted driving laws may not be as tough on distracted driving as we are, you should still employ extreme caution whenever you get behind the wheel. 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 double-tasking can seem like a great way to save time, it can also lead to unnecessary hazards 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 on the road, applying makeup or getting dressed while driving may save time, but significantly increases your odds of personal injury or injuring somebody else.
Know how to get to your destination. Look carefully at directions before you leave so you will not have to focus 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. Alternatively, if you have a passenger, have them handle the directions so you can concentrate the road ahead.
If you are fatigued, pull over or have someone else drive. Not only are you in danger of falling asleep at the wheel, but fatigue 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.
Make adjustments before getting on the road. Adjust the seat, mirrors, temperature, music and sound system before you start your trip. You need to have your full focus on the road while you are behind the wheel.
Secure children and pets. Looking at or reaching to the backseat or passenger seat can results in a manual, visual and cognitive distraction. If something happens and they need your attention, the best thing to do pull over to the side of the road.
Keep your eyes on the road. Your entire focus should be on the road in front of you and your mirrors so that you can see other drivers and pedestrians. While that brightly colored restaurant may look interesting, taking a second to admire it is not worth danger you could pose to yourself and others.
Unfortunately, you can do everything correctly when you are in the driver's seat and you or a loved one can still be harmed because another person disregarded the rules of the road. When that happens, you need to call the distracted driving accident lawyers of Burger Law right away so we can use our skill and experience to help you get maximum recovery and start to make you whole again. We know distracted driving accident claims, we know how to win them and we know how to demand full compensation for your injuries.
The Mount Vernon, 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 someone you care about has been hurt because someone else disregarded the rules of the road and acted carelessly, you are entitled to full compensation for your injuries. The Mount Vernon, MO distracted driving accident attorneys at Burger Law hold thoughtless drivers responsible and stand up to resistant insurance companies care more about their bottom line than being fair to you. We have the experience, insight, work ethic and grit to fight by your side from beginning to end, to win your case and to get you the full compensation to help you protect you and your loved ones' future. If another Mount Vernon, MO driver was distracted and caused your injuries or the injuries of someone you care about, you should not have to deal with the tribulation 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 discover more about what Burger Law will do to get you back on your feet and back on the road again.