Anchorage Distracted Driving Accident Attorneys

Representing Victims of Distracted Driving in Alaska

When you are driving, you should be focused on the road and the task at hand. Unfortunately, many drivers are distracted by their cell phones, GPS devices, and other electronic devices. In fact, distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents in the United States. If you were injured in a car accident caused by a distracted driver, you have the right to seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

At Phillip Weidner, P.C., we are committed to helping injured individuals and their families fight for the justice and fair recovery they are owed. Our Anchorage distracted driving accident lawyers have extensive experience handling these types of cases and are prepared to aggressively advocate for you. We understand the various challenges you are facing, and we are here to provide the compassionate, personalized legal guidance you need.

Call our office at (907) 276-1200 or contact us online today to schedule a consultation with one of our Anchorage distracted driving accident attorneys.

What Is Distracted Driving?

Distracted driving is any activity that takes a driver’s attention away from the road. This includes both visual and cognitive distractions, as well as manual distractions. In other words, anything that causes a driver to take their eyes off the road, their hands off the wheel, or their mind off the task of driving is considered a distraction.

There are three main types of distracted driving:

• Visual distractions: These are distractions that cause a driver to take their eyes off the road. Examples include looking at a cell phone, looking at a GPS device, looking at a passenger, and looking at something happening outside the vehicle.
• Manual distractions: These are distractions that cause a driver to take their hands off the wheel. Examples include eating, drinking, smoking, adjusting the radio, and using a cell phone or other electronic device.
• Cognitive distractions: These are distractions that cause a driver to take their mind off the task of driving. Examples include talking on a cell phone, talking to a passenger, daydreaming, and thinking about personal problems.

Many activities can be distracting while driving, but one of the most dangerous is using a cell phone. In fact, cell phone use is one of the leading causes of distracted driving accidents in the United States.

Texting and Driving Accidents

Texting and driving is a particularly dangerous form of distracted driving. When a driver is texting, they are visually, manually, and cognitively distracted. This means that they are not looking at the road, they are not holding the steering wheel, and they are not thinking about driving. As a result, texting and driving is extremely dangerous and often leads to serious accidents.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), sending or reading a text takes a driver’s eyes off the road for an average of five seconds. At 55 miles per hour, this is the equivalent of driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed. In fact, the NHTSA reports that, at any given time, approximately 660,000 drivers are using their cell phones while driving.

Effects of Distracted Driving

When a driver is distracted, they are not able to react to changes in traffic, road conditions, and other hazards. This means that they are more likely to cause an accident.

Some of the most common injuries caused by distracted driving accidents include:

• Whiplash
• Soft tissue injuries
• Broken bones
• Head and brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Paralysis
• Internal organ damage
• Amputations
• Crush injuries
• Burns
• Cuts and lacerations

These and other injuries can be severe and life-altering. In many cases, they require extensive medical treatment and ongoing care. They may also prevent you from working and earning a living, either temporarily or permanently. If you were injured in a distracted driving accident, you should not have to pay for these and other damages out of your own pocket. Our attorneys can help you fight for the full, fair recovery you are owed.

Legal Rights after Distracted Driving Accidents

If you were injured in a distracted driving accident, you have the right to seek compensation for your damages. This includes both economic and non-economic damages.

Some of the most common damages available in a distracted driving accident claim include:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Lost earning capacity
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Disfigurement and scarring
• Disability
• Reduced quality of life
• Loss of consortium

It is important to note that, in Alaska, you have a limited amount of time to file a personal injury lawsuit. This is known as the statute of limitations. In most cases, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Alaska is two years from the date of the accident. If you do not file a lawsuit within this time frame, you will likely lose your right to recover compensation for your damages. However, there are exceptions to this rule, so it is important to consult with an experienced attorney as soon as possible to ensure that your rights are protected.

Preventing Distracted Driving Accidents

There are several steps you can take to help prevent distracted driving accidents. First and foremost, you should always focus on the road and the task at hand when you are driving. You should also avoid using your cell phone or other electronic devices while driving. If you need to use your cell phone or GPS device, you should pull over to a safe location before doing so.

If you have a teenage driver, you should talk to them about the dangers of distracted driving and the importance of focusing on the road. You should also set a good example by not using your cell phone or other electronic devices while driving. In addition, you should consider installing a cell phone app that disables your teenager’s cell phone while they are driving.

Why Choose Phillip Weidner, P.C.?

At Phillip Weidner, P.C., we are committed to providing the highest level of legal representation to each and every client. We understand the various challenges you are facing, and we are here to help you navigate the legal process from start to finish. Our attorneys are well-versed in Alaska personal injury law, and we have a proven track record of success handling these types of cases. We are not afraid to take on large insurance companies and corporations, and we are prepared to fight for you in court, if necessary.

Call our Anchorage distracted driving accident lawyers at (907) 276-1200 or contact us online to get started.