In recent times, distracted driving has become one of the leading causes of vehicle accidents on American roads. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2020, over 3,100 lives were lost in vehicle accidents involving distracted drivers. Also, nearly 8 percent of all fatal crashes involved a distracted driver. In Connecticut in 2022, there were nearly 5,200 crashes attributed to distracted driving.
If you have been injured by a distracted driver in Connecticut, you might wonder what your rights are. Here is all you need to know about distracted driving accidents:
Types of distracted driving accidents
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, distracted driving is of three types:
Visual distractions
Distractions that cause you to take your eyes off the task at hand. These include checking the scenery, looking at the GPS, etc.
Manual distractions: Distractions that cause you to take your hand off the steering wheel. For example, eating or drinking while driving or reaching out for something.
Cognitive distractions
These distractions take your mind off the task at hand, i.e., driving. These include talking, singing, etc.
Cell phone usage while driving
Many distractions exist while driving. However, cell phones are a top distraction because thousands of drivers use smartphone devices for prolonged hours each day to make calls, text, get directions, or for other purposes. This is risky for the driver and others on the road. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 7.9 percent of drivers were using a hand-held or hands-free mobile phone at any moment of the day.
In Connecticut, the law prohibits the use of hand-held cell phones or mobile electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle, including while you are stopped in traffic or at a stop light. As per the law,
- Drivers 18 years of age and older need hands-free accessories to legally use mobile electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle.
- Drivers who are 16 or 17 years of age are restricted from using any type of mobile electronic device while driving, even with hands-free accessories.
Exceptions to the CT distracted driving laws
The only exception is when the driver is facing an emergency.
- Drivers of any age can use a smartphone to contact an emergency response operator, a hospital, an ambulance company, a health clinic, a physician’s office, fire or police department.
- Drivers who are 18 years of age and older who are firefighters, peace officers, or ambulance drivers are permitted to use hand-held electronic devices while performing their official duties.
What to do if you have been injured in a distracted driving accident?
Distracted driving accidents can take many forms. While many involve other vehicles, others involve pedestrians, motorcyclists, and bikers.
In Connecticut, the fines for distracted driving are minor. It’s $125 for the first offense, $250 for the second offense, and $400 for the third and subsequent offenses.
The real consequences arise when a distracted driver causes an accident. A driver is considered negligent when they fail to use reasonable care and, consequently, someone is harmed. When a distracted driver causes an accident, they are responsible for paying the damages caused by the accident.
If you have been in an accident, proving that the other driver was distracted at the time of the accident can help support your claim that the other driver was responsible for the accident.
Here is what you should do if you are injured by a distracted driver :
- Call 911. Seek medical attention even if there are no major injuries.
- Report to the police. Tell them that the other driver was distracted.
- Gather information. Collect the other driver’s contact information, license number, registration number, contact information of eyewitnesses, photos of the accident site, and more.
- Get in touch with your lawyer. It is not always easy to prove that the driver was distracted. It is best to get in touch with an experienced car accident lawyer who can help establish fault. The lawyer will help recover compensation for injuries and other losses.
If you or your loved ones have been injured by a distracted driver, we understand the immense challenges you are facing. When dealing with such personal injuries, it is crucial to have an experienced lawyer by your side. Our firm is dedicated to providing excellent customer service and a client-focused approach, ensuring you have the necessary resources to fully recover from your injuries as soon as possible. Contact us today to begin the process of seeking the compensation you need and deserve.