Little Rock Distracted Driving Accidents
Distracted driving is a significant cause of accidents that result in injury and death in Little Rock, Arkansas. The distracted driving lawyers at NST Law can help you recover compensation after a distracted driving accident causes injury and financial loss.
Distracted driving has long been a leading cause of car accidents that have resulted in injuries and death. In crash statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Institute (NHTSA), there were 3,142 deaths caused by distracted driving in 2020.
The state of Arkansas has implemented strategies aimed to curb this public safety issue, but distracted driving accidents continue to be an issue.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Little Rock that was caused by distracted driving, the experienced lawyers at NST Law can help you pursue damages.
Table Of Contents
- How A Distracted Driving Lawyer Can Help
- What Are Types Of Distracted Driving?
- Possible Compensation For A Car Accident
- How To Hold A Distracted Driver Accountable For Damages
- How Long Do You Have To File A Claim For A Car Accident?
- When To Contact A Little Rock Distracted Driving Accident Attorney
- How Much Does A Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer Cost?
- Do You Have To Go To Court For A Car Accident Case?
- Should You Try To Gain Compensation Through Insurance Before Speaking With A Lawyer?
- Why Should You Choose NST Law To Represent You?
How a Distracted Driving Lawyer Can Help
At NST Law, an attorney will work to prove that the other driver acted negligently and collect evidence to show why you deserve the compensation value you’re seeking. We can achieve these goals by:
- Reviewing police statements and medical records
- Collecting witness testimony
- Consulting with accident reconstruction specialists
- Identifying a target compensation goal
Insurance policies exist to provide compensation for these damages, but it can be a challenge to convince an insurance company to pay an accident victim the amount they deserve. Making insurance policies work for you is the primary job of a Little Rock distracted driving lawyer.
What are types of distracted driving?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving is “a specific type of inattention that occurs when drivers divert their attention away from the driving task to focus on another activity instead.”
There are three categories of distracted driving.
- Visual: When the driver looks away from the roadway to visually obtain information
- Manual: When the driver takes a hand off the steering wheel and manipulates a device
- Cognitive: When the driver thinks about something other than the driving task
The duration and frequency at which the driver engages in distracted driving also influence its impact.
Various activities fit into these three categories and are considered distracted driving:
- Reaching for a moving object
- Looking at an external object
- Applying make-up
- Other passengers
- Infotainment operation
- Cell phone use
- Eating food
Unfortunately, there are a lot of distracted drivers on the road that ultimately cause car accidents. If you are the victim of a Little Rock distracted driving accident, consult our expert car accident attorneys.
Possible Compensation for a Car Accident
Compensation in a distracted driving accident case is designed to reimburse you for the damages caused by the defendant. There are two basic forms of compensation: economic and noneconomic. Economic damages compensate you for financial losses, and noneconomic damages compensate you for loss that can’t be measured by a dollar amount.
Examples of economic damages:
- Medical bills
- Physical therapy costs
- Future medical procedures
- Cost of in-home or residential care
- Lost wages and benefits
- Loss of anticipated lifetime earnings
Items commonly claimed for non-economic damages:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish
- Loss of companionship or consortium
- Embarrassment and humiliation
- Disfigurement
- Diminished quality of life
The state of Arkansas places no limit on the amount of compensatory damages you can receive in accordance with Arkansas code 16-55-212. Rest assured you will be fairly compensated for your car accident injury.
You can learn how much your case might be worth by consulting with one of our Little Rock distracted driving accident lawyers about the details of your crash and car accident injuries.
How to Hold a Distracted Driver Accountable for Damages
An important step in a car accident case is proving the other driver was at fault. Your lawyer will need to present evidence that the actions of the other driver meet the criteria for negligence. This involves the process of showing:
- A duty of care was owed
- That duty was breached
- Injury occurred as a result of that breach
- The injury can be proven
Our car accident lawyers will obtain the necessary evidence to ensure the at-fault party is held responsible. This can include reviewing police reports, visiting the scene of the crash, inspecting the physical damage, and interviewing witnesses.
In some cases, proving fault is straightforward, while other times it takes significant work on the part of your lawyer. Once negligence is proven, that driver is legally liable for the damages resulting from the accident.
Arkansas Laws Against Distracted Driving
Texting while driving is a leading form of distracted driving. Arkansas has implemented various laws to fight against using cell phones on the road. The follow actions are prohibited while driving:
- Texting and wireless interactive communication
- The use of a cell phone by drivers under 18 years old
- The use of handheld cell phones by drivers aged to 20
- Handheld cell phone use in active school zones and highway work zones
- The use of a cell phone by school bus drivers
Primary and secondary enforcement can be used in any of these situations and the penalty is dependent on the action.
Arkansas is also an active participant in the NHTSA U Drive. U Text. U Pay. campaign to encourage drivers to put their phone down while driving and ensure safe driving.
How long do you have to file a claim for a car accident?
In Arkansas, the time limit to file a personal injury claim caused by a distracted driving car accident is three years. This time limit is called the statute of limitations. Once it passes, you miss the opportunity to file a claim and recover compensation.
When to Contact a Little Rock Distracted Driving Accident Attorney
It’s important to contact a lawyer as soon as you can after the accident occurred. Your lawyer will be with you through every step of the process and will handle the majority of tasks needed to successfully get you the compensation you deserve:
- Communicate with the negligent driver’s insurance
- Obtain the necessary evidence, collect medical bills and history
- Present evidence to prove liability and damages
- Negotiate a settlement with the insurance provider or defendant’s attorney
If a fair settlement cannot be reached, our car accident lawyers are prepared to file a lawsuit and take your case to court.
How much does a distracted driving accident lawyer cost?
The lawyers at NST Law work on a contingency fee basis. This means that payment is rendered at the end of a case, and only if we win. Our fee is paid as a percentage of the overall compensation value we win for you.
Do you have to go to court for a car accident case?
Going to court can be time-consuming and much more expensive than settling. Most insurance companies prefer to come to a resolution rather than deal with the inconvenience and cost of court proceedings. Only a small percentage of distracted driving accidents cases end up in court.
Should you try to gain compensation through insurance before speaking with a lawyer?
Attempting to navigate the insurance claims process without legal representation is a mistake. An insurance company’s goal is to limit the amount of money that must be paid out over a claim. Additionally, the questions asked and answers you give can be used to make you admit fault and lose potential coverage.
A lawyer has your best interests in mind; an insurance company does not. Our car accident lawyers know how these entities operate and will fight on your behalf to ensure you are properly compensated.
Why should you choose NST Law to represent you?
NST Law is a personal injury law firm that has received national recognition for achieving outstanding results. Since 1990, our team of experienced personal injury attorneys has recovered over $2 billion in compensation for our clients.
With a team of 175 attorneys and staff members, we have the resources and expertise needed to bring clients winning outcomes. Our case results and client testimonials demonstrate that we routinely secure positive results for clients struggling with the aftermath of devastating accidents and injuries.
NST Law has offices in Downtown Little Rock and West Little Rock. Don’t wait to pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to speak with a distracted driving accident lawyer at NST Law, the champions for the injured. Your first consultation is free.
Contact us for a free consultation now so that we can review your case and decide how we can best help you.
4 Shackleford Plaza Suite 211
Little Rock, AR 72211
Phone: 501-381-3391
Fax: 501-891-5036
425 W Capitol Ave, Ste. 780
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: 501-435-0000
Fax: 501-406-1849
