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Distracted Driving Accident Lawyers in North Carolina

Assisting Victims of Texting while Driving & Other Distracted Driving Accidents

North Carolina laws prohibit motor vehicle operators from texting, emailing, and using the internet when they are driving. It is also illegal for a person under the age of 18 with a provisional license to operate a vehicle while using a cell phone unless they are calling their parents. Current statutes also prevent school bus operators from using a cell phone while driving.

Distracted and texting drivers can cause accidents that result in serious injuries and fatalities. If you were hurt in an auto accident in which the other driver was using a cell phone or another electronic device, contact a North Carolina distracted driving attorney at Lanier Law Group.

We have decades of experience representing clients in all types of car accident cases; we can explain your right to compensation and how to file a claim. We offer a free consultation during which your case will be reviewed by a knowledgeable attorney who can provide you with personal injury information and advice regarding the claim process.

To get started with your free consultation, call 919-682-2111 or contact us online today.

Understanding Distracted Driving

Operating a car, truck, motorcycle, or any motor vehicle is a big responsibility. Drivers are responsible not only for their own safety and the safety of their passengers but also for the safety of other drivers, pedestrians, and anyone on or near the roadway. Unfortunately, some motorists choose to ignore this responsibility by operating a vehicle while distracted. When they do so, they put everyone around them at risk.

Generally speaking, there are three primary types of distracted driving:

Physical distraction: This describes instances in which a driver physically removes one or both hands from the steering wheel. Maybe a driver is distracted by a small child in the backseat and reaches back to pick up a toy the child has thrown to the floor of the car, or maybe the driver is eating or drinking behind the wheel. In any case, physical distractions can lead to serious accidents.
Visual distraction: This occurs whenever a driver removes his/her eyes from the road. Examples of visual distraction include glancing down to read a text message or send an email, looking down to change the radio station, or turning to look at a passenger in the vehicle. At any time, but especially at high speeds, visual distraction can easily cause the driver to collide into other vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, and stationary objects along the roadway.
Mental distraction: Mental distractions include things like daydreaming, responding to text messages, browsing social media websites, or even becoming engrossed in a conversation with a passenger. While mental distractions are just as likely to result in an accident as other forms of distracted driving, proving that someone was mentally distracted when an accident occurred can be incredibly difficult. It’s important to work with an experienced North Carolina distracted driving accident lawyer to better your chance of a favorable outcome.

Examples of Common Driver Distractions

A driver can become distracted for many reasons, including but not limited to:

Using a cell phone
Reading or sending a text message
Browsing the internet
Looking at or posting to social media
Taking pictures or recording videos
Adjusting a radio or CD player
Changing the music on a cell phone or similar device
Adjusting controls within the vehicle
Moving an object in the vehicle
Reaching for an object in the back seat
Eating or drinking
Smoking
Daydreaming/general inattention

People, objects and activities outside the vehicle can also result in driver distraction.

North Carolina Distracted Driving Laws

The law is considered a “primary” law, meaning that law enforcement officers can pull over drivers solely for texting while driving without needing any other traffic offense to have occurred.

All drivers, regardless of age or driving experience, are prohibited from texting while driving. This includes composing, reading, or sending text messages, email, or any other form of electronic communication.

For adult drivers (18 and over), there is no statewide ban on handheld phone use while driving, but it is discouraged. School bus drivers and drivers under the age of 18 are prohibited from using any mobile phone while driving, except in emergencies.

Violating the texting while driving ban can result in fines. Typically, the fine for texting while driving is $100 plus court costs. For drivers under 18 and school bus drivers, violations can also result in points on their driver’s license, which may affect insurance rates and driving privileges.

The laws do not apply to devices that are permanently installed in the vehicle. The use of GPS or navigation systems is allowed if the device is used for its intended purpose of navigation and not for communication.

Keep in mind that some local jurisdictions within North Carolina may have additional restrictions or rules regarding distracted driving, so it’s important to be aware of and comply with local laws.

Filing a Car Accident Claim in North Carolina

If you’re involved in a distracted driving accident in North Carolina, you must take the following steps to ensure safety, comply with legal requirements, and protect your rights:

Ensure Safety: Check yourself and others for injuries and call 911 if needed. Move vehicles to a safe location if possible, and turn on hazard lights to alert other drivers.
Call 911: Report the accident to the dispatcher, mentioning the number of vehicles and any injuries. Request police assistance for a formal report.
Exchange Information: Share names, contact details, insurance information, and vehicle registration numbers with other involved parties. Also, gather contact information from any witnesses.
Document the Scene: Take photos and videos of the accident scene, vehicle damages, license plates, traffic signs, and any injuries. Write down details like the time, date, weather conditions, and events leading to the accident.
Seek Medical Attention: Even if you feel uninjured, get a medical evaluation to check for hidden injuries and document any that are found for insurance or legal purposes.
Notify Your Insurance Company: Report the accident to your insurer promptly and provide all gathered information and documentation.
Obtain the Police Report: Request a copy of the police report from the responding law enforcement agency, as it will be crucial for insurance claims and legal matters.
Keep Records: Maintain records of all medical treatment and expenses. Get estimates for vehicle repairs and keep all related receipts.

When a motorist’s careless actions result in an accident, victims can file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier for monetary damages.

Depending on the unique factors involved in your case, you may be able to recover compensation for:

Hospitalization
Medical bills
Lost wages
Pain and suffering
Emotional trauma
Property Damage including repairs or total loss value and car rental, towing and storage
Prescriptions
Mileage
Punitive damages
Permanent physical damage
Future medical treatment

Our firm has years of experience representing accident victims and can provide you with highly aggressive and determined representation. From the moment you contact us, we will begin evaluating the factors involved in your case to determine whether or not you have grounds to file a claim.

If so, we will immediately begin gathering evidence, such as medical records and police reports, to support your claim. Our North Carolina car accident lawyers are committed to providing each and every one of our clients with the tireless advocacy and compassionate counsel they deserve.

We have offices located throughout the state of North Carolina and provide legal services in both English and Spanish. Contact an attorney at our firm for qualified legal advice and aggressive representation if you were injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver.

Contact us now for a complimentary consultation and case evaluation: 919-682-2111.

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There are times in your life you are so hurt and feel life has a grudge against you. Nothing in your life is going right. I lost the most important person in my life to death, of which I knew mistakes were made because I witnessed it with my own eyes. When you contact a law group you most of the time get all business and a matter of fact conversation. I want all to know that from the first phone call they listened to my lengthy story, sobbing most of the time with so much compassion. They never made any promises but offered assurances that no stone would be unturned. They fulfilled every word they said. They restored faith that I had lost. Until you are in a position like mine you can never know how invaluable Lanier Law Group is. They were wonderful while maintaining their professionalism. They treated me like a family member. They really do care about their clients. But most of all they are the best at what they do. I worked in the court system for years so I knew how attorneys and law firms basically operated. Understanding the law and it’s interpretation is the ultimate key to winning any case. Also know that if an attorney/attorneys study and review your case and know that you don’t have a chance in a court of law and are big enough to tell you that instead of giving you false hope, you then my friend have a group with valuable shared values. I have so much respect for everyone in this Law Group. I recommend Lanier Law Group, P.A. to anyone who needs representation, they are in your corner. 20 out of 10 stars.

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I started working with Lanier Law Group in 2020 on my Social Security Disability case. They from start to finish were awesome. My case manager Janet Hanks and attorney, Ashley Sappenfield were always available to answer all my questions. I did not have to do much but sit back and let them handle whatever was needed. My case took too long (2 years) and if I did not have Janet and Ashley My case would still not be approved. I would recommend Lanier to anyone to get the job done and approved. Do not go to another firm with your case, who promise the world and do not see it to completion and do not think another firms would have worked as hard as they did on my case. Lanier Law Group will always be the choice for me and all my family members to handle any cases of this type and other legal services they provide. They went above and beyond!

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Mrs. Gonzalez did an awesome job of explaining everything in detail and keeping me informed on the status of my case. Despite poor customer service with the insurance company, Mrs. Gonzalez was able to fix what they could not. Mrs. Gonzalez was very helpful with helping me understand things that I was not aware of when dealing with insurance claims. I am so thankful for her expertise and professionalism.

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The staff kept me well informed in a more than timely manner and was always ready to answer any questions I may have.

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