What Do I Do If I was Hit by Someone Who Was Texting While Driving?
A driver who is texting behind the wheel is a distracted driver who is at great risk for causing an accident every second that his or her eyes are off the road. In many cases, someone who is texting while driving – when involved in an accident – will likely be found responsible for the injuries and damages the injured party sustained as a result of the incident.
If you or a loved one was injured in an accident caused by someone who was texting while driving, there are steps you can take to best protect your rights and options for compensation for your injuries and other damages. Learn more below.
Contact the Authorities
First, you or someone else should contact the authorities. If you or another person involved in the accident has been visibly injured or appears to be in distress, emergency medical technicians should be summoned to the scene to evaluate injured persons and transport them to the hospital, if necessary. Even if no one has been hurt, it is best to summon police to the scene to investigate the accident. The investigating officer will detail his or her findings, statements from witnesses, whether anyone was cited or arrested for the accident, and possibly even the officer’s conclusion as to who was at fault for the accident.
Record the Accident Scene
If possible, you or someone you know should document the accident scene with photographs or videos. Try to capture important elements such as the positions of vehicles after the accident, any damage to the vehicles, any skid marks on the road, and the weather, lighting, traffic, and road conditions at the scene. If there were eyewitnesses to the accident, you should also try to get a statement from them or at the very least their contact information so that you can later contact them for a statement if necessary; however, you should follow up with eyewitnesses as soon as possible as memories often fade with time.
Seek Medical Attention & Treatment
If you don’t receive medical attention at the scene of the accident, it is imperative that you follow up with your primary care physician or other medical provider as soon as possible after your accident. Prompt identification of your injuries will allow you to conclusively establish that your injuries were caused by your accident and not something else.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
Finally, you should speak to an experienced personal injury lawyer about your accident. You may be quickly contacted by the at-fault driver’s insurer about a settlement. If you are represented by an attorney, your attorney can handle communications with the insurance company on your behalf, working to protect your rights and interests and negotiating for a full and fair settlement that provides you with the compensation you need and deserve.
Contact a Red Bank Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Texting While Driving Case in New Jersey
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a texting while driving accident in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Drazin & Warshaw, P.C. represent clients injured because of texting while driving in Edison, South Plainfield, Highland Park, Princeton Meadows and throughout Middlesex County, Monmouth County and Ocean County, NJ. Call Drazin & Warshaw, P.C. at (732) 576-8860 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 25 Reckless Place, Red Bank, NJ 07701, as well as offices in Hazlet and Brick.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
