Most car accidents are due to driver error, and the biggest errors typically occur due to distracted driving. Any car accident has the potential to turn someone’s life upside down. When a negligent driver causes physical injuries, personal injury law gives you the chance to recover compensation.
Gingras, Thomsen & Wachs, LLP provides comprehensive legal services for victims of distracted driving accidents and other motor vehicle accidents in Madison. We have over 35 years of experience helping accident victims return to their normal lives and have recovered over $200 million on their behalf.
Our passionate, award-winning attorneys believe in doing their best to help Madison car accident victims in need and right the wrongs that have been done to them. With a proven track record of success and a devotion to providing our clients with the best legal representation, you can count on us for your car accident case. Contact our Madison car accident lawyers today for a free consultation to discuss your car accident claim.
Texting or Using a Cell Phone
Despite the integration of systems that allow for hands-free operations, many drivers wind up causing car accidents when they text and drive or make calls while their car is in motion.
Using GPS
Navigation systems have helped us to put away our paper maps for good. Unfortunately, they can cause an auto collision when drivers keep their eyes on these digital maps rather than the road.
Eating or Drinking
The drive-thru culture in the U.S. means that many people will grab food and go. Unfortunately, they’ll also eat on the go, which tends to result in motor vehicle accidents.
Reaching for Something
It’s easy to cause a car accident when you are trying to grab an item while the vehicle is in motion. Spare change, garage and gate openers, and other items can shift while driving, and drivers who reach for these items are putting everyone on the road at risk.
Talking to Other Passengers
A car accident can be caused by a driver paying more attention to the passengers in the vehicle rather than the road. Parents trying to manage young children or teenagers chatting with friends are likely to cause a car accident in this way.
Motor vehicle accidents can also be caused by drivers who are daydreaming, applying makeup, shaving, playing with the stereo, or doing other actions. If you were in a car accident, you should speak with a car accident attorney to determine if it was caused by a distracted driver. The car accident lawyers at Gingras, Thomsen & Wachs, LLP can assist with these types of personal injury claims.
Common Car Accident Injuries Caused by Distracted Driving
Unfortunately, an auto accident that involves a distracted driver may be as devastating as one that was caused by drunk driving. It only takes a few seconds for a car wreck to occur. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), if someone is driving 55 mph and takes 5 seconds to send a text message, they could travel the entire distance of a football field.
You could suffer serious injuries, including:
- Head injuries
- Partial or complete paralysis
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Soft tissue injuries
If you have suffered injuries, especially severe injuries, in a motor vehicle accident caused by a distracted driver, you should not file a personal injury claim on your own. Contact an experienced personal injury lawyer from Gingras, Thomsen & Wachs, LLP to discuss your car accident case.
Types of Compensation Available in a Distracted Driving Car Accident Claim
With the help of a car accident lawyer, personal injury claims for a car crash involving distracted driving will go more smoothly. In these types of automobile accidents, car accident compensation will cover the damages you have suffered during this event.
In Madison car accidents, the at-fault driver will be responsible for your medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and other financial losses. This can include medical bills for physical therapy as well as non-economic damages such as emotional trauma or pain and suffering.
Many factors can affect how much compensation you will be awarded, particularly for medical expenses. The type and severity of your injuries will impact the settlement amount in car accident injury claims. For these reasons, it is vital that you discuss your case with an experienced car accident lawyer who can calculate the full extent of your damages and fight for maximum compensation.
A Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You After a Motor Vehicle Accident Caused by Distracted Driving in Madison
Automobile accidents and truck accidents cause turmoil beyond the initial accident. Injury victims often think they can navigate this process on their own; however, it is best to seek representation from experienced car accident lawyers who can work to get maximum compensation. When you hire a personal injury attorney, they will:
Take Over Insurance Claims
Insurance adjusters are trained to seem sympathetic in their approach following car crashes. What you may not realize is that every insurance company is in the business of protecting its profits. This means that they will ask leading questions in an attempt to place some or all of the fault on you.
Our car accident attorneys are well aware of the tactics used in personal injury cases. Let our legal team step in for you and relieve you of the stress and burden of fighting for your settlement.
Investigate Your Accident
Evidence can help determine how your accident occurred. If you woke up in the hospital or had injuries so severe that you needed life-saving surgery, you may not have been able to take photos or videos after the accident happened.
Since the plaintiff in a personal injury lawsuit must present evidence to prove that the other party was negligent and liable for their injuries and damages, it helps to have an attorney take over the investigation. Our lawyers will get a copy of the police report, track down surveillance footage from traffic cameras and nearby businesses, and speak to witnesses who saw the accident happen.
We have the resources to retain expert witnesses, such as medical experts who can testify about your medical records. Accident reconstructionists can show how the accident happened while other experts can discover if the other driver was using their cell phone at the time of the crash.
Negotiate for a Fair Car Accident Settlement
Victims that try to handle claims on their own often do not realize the full amount of compensation they may be entitled to. Many victims in these scenarios will jump at the chance to take the first check they are offered. Once you sign a release, you cannot go back and seek more money for your damages at a later date. The settlement is final.
It is only after they accept the first offer that some people might realize that it doesn’t cover the full amount of their lost wages from being unable to work, the expenses they paid for medical treatments, or all of their other losses. You may need ongoing medical care due to your injuries, and your attorney will factor in all elements of your damages to ensure that the compensation you receive is fair.
Gingras, Thomsen & Wachs, LLP will be here for you and your loved ones in the aftermath of a collision. If distracted driving is found to be a factor in your crash, we will seek the maximum compensation and hold the at-fault driver accountable for their negligent behavior.
Over the decades, we have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients. We have a passion for helping those who have suffered at the hands of careless, selfish drivers who do not take the rules of the road seriously. Contact our law offices today to set up a free consultation and learn more about how to take legal action against distracted drivers.