Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer Columbus Ohio

In 2017, 13,997 drivers crashed while they were distracted by something in their vehicles in Ohio alone, according to data from the Ohio Department of Public Safety. 55 deaths resulted from those accidents while the largest “distraction category” was reported to be from other things inside of the vehicle like food, music, and passengers.

Distracted driving can cause harm to more than just the driver of the inciting vehicle and it is a large concern in Ohio.

If you or a loved one has recently been injured in an accident where the driver was distracted, you might have a case to seek compensation. An experienced Columbus distracted driving lawyer will be able to provide you with guidance on your case and take you through the process of building a strong case as you seek appropriate compensation.

What is Distracted Driving?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving is defined as “any activity that diverts attention from driving, including talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle […] – anything that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving.”

Distracted driving can lead to car accidents, and injuries, and in general is considered to be a dangerous behavior on the part of drivers.

Common Examples of Distracted Driving

Distracted driving can be considered a number of different things. Some common examples of distracted driving include:

• Eating while driving
• Texting and/or talking on the phone while driving
• Looking at the scenery
• Checking GPS devices
• Dealing with young children in the car
• Searching for personal items in your pursue, bag, or the glove compartment
• Conversations with others in the car

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), distracted driving reduces the overall amount of attention that drivers have available. Since the brain has a limited capacity for attention, any non-driving task that a driver undertakes can seriously increase the chances of a said driver being involved in an accident.

How to Prove a Distracted Driver Caused Your Accident

Following an accident, you may find yourself wondering how you and the Columbus distracted driving injury lawyer you work with are going to be able to prove that a driver caused your accident. There are a few different ways that you may be able to prove a distracted driver caused your accident – including gathering strong evidence following the accident.

Physical Evidence

Physical evidence can be found in a number of places such as the scene of the accident, inside of the alleged at-fault driver’s car, and the surrounding area. Things like posted signage that was ignored by the driver, points of collision, and even weather conditions at the time of the accident can all serve as evidence.

Eyewitness Testimony

Eyewitness testimony can serve as important evidence in building out a strong case for your accident. An eyewitness could be another pedestrian that saw the driver who hit you as they were talking on the phone or another driver who witnessed the accident and distracted driving.

Be sure to collect contact information for anyone who saw the accident after seeking medical attention. This can be key information to have later on when you consult with a distracted driving attorney in Columbus, Ohio.

Medical Records

Medical records of your injuries are another important piece of evidence to have. Following a distracted driving accident, be sure to seek medical attention as soon as it is safe to do so – even if you do not feel like you are hurt.

Even if you feel fine, there could be less obvious injuries. Seeking medical attention ensures that you are seen for injuries and provides records that will be relevant to your case.

Work with an Experienced Columbus Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer

Working with a lawyer who has experience handling personal injury claims and lawsuits can be especially beneficial in proving that a distracted driver caused your accident. They will be able to navigate the legal proceedings following your accident, assist you in filing your claim, and deal with insurance companies when negotiations begin.

A lawyer will work to protect your rights and interests throughout the entire process. That will include going over all of the available evidence in an effort to prove your claim – in the negotiation stage or if it moves to court.

How Long Do I Have to File a Distracted Driving Lawsuit?

Following a car accident that was caused by distracted driving in the state of Ohio, there will be a time period in which you need to file a claim or lawsuit to seek compensation.

According to Section 2305.10 of the Ohio Revised Code, you will typically need to bring a personal injury claim forward within two years following the accident. That time period starts on the date of the accident.

And while two years can seem like a long time, it is often best to get started on filing your claim as soon as possible – especially if you have suffered injuries of any kind. Medical costs can start to add up very quickly following an accident.

Our Columbus Distracted Driving Accident Attorneys Can Help if You’ve Been Injured in a Crash

Following a car accident, you are undoubtedly going to be stressed as you try to recover from your injuries, look into seeking compensation, and try to navigate what can become complex legal matters in relation to a personal injury claim. That is where Heit Law, LLC comes in to help.

Corey Heit, an experienced Columbus distracted driving injury lawyer and founder of Heit Law, offers representation to clients throughout the Columbus area. He has successfully achieved hundreds of thousands of dollars in settlements for clients across a variety of personal injury cases including car accidents, truck accidents, dog bites, and distracted driving.

Corey can provide you with effective legal representation as you seek appropriate compensation for your injuries following the distracted driving accident. He will work to investigate your case to fully understand the range of your injuries and how you will be impacted moving forward in life, both in the short and long term.

Please reach out to Heit Law, LLC today to book a free and fully confidential consultation today. You can connect over the phone at 614-898-5300 or you can reach out through our online contact form.