Distracted Driving Accidents in Bloomfield

Distracted driving occurs when a driver is doing something that takes their attention away from the road. This can include talking or texting on a cell phone, eating and drinking, socializing with passengers, operating the radio controls, using a navigation system or other heads-up display, and any other distracting activity.

Distracted driving accidents in New Jersey and across the nation present an extremely serious danger to motorists and pedestrians. In 2015, 3,477 people were killed and 391,000 were injured in the US alone as a result of distracted driving accidents.

If you or a loved one has been injured as the result of another driver’s distracted driving, you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries and damages through a car accident claim.

At The Law Office of Fredson Statmore Bitterman, our attorneys have decades of experience helping New Jersey clients recover full and fair financial compensation for injuries caused by distracted driving accidents in Bloomfield. Call our office today for a free, confidential consultation in which we will discuss your unique needs and concerns.

Distracted Driving Laws

• Drivers must not use a hand-held cell phone while driving. Hands-free calling is permitted with the use of a bluetooth headset or through the car itself.
• Bus drivers are prohibited from using cell phones in any capacity while driving.
• Novice drivers are prohibited from using cell phones in any capacity while driving. “Novice driver” refers to any driver under the age of 21 with a provisional driver’s license.
• Texting while driving is prohibited for all drivers at all times.
• It is illegal to knowingly send a text message to an individual operating a motor vehicle.

Proving the Fault of Distracted Drivers in New Jersey

New Jersey has historically been among the first states to pass and enforce laws to prevent distracted driving. The first laws were introduced in March 2008 and have been updated to become even tougher in recent years. All of the laws listed above fall under the category of “primary enforcement,” which means that a law officer does not need an additional reason to pull over the distracted driver if they observe the behavior.

While there are certainly other avenues we may consider to prove another driver was distracted at the time of an accident, our attorneys will first see if the driver broke a distracted driving law. If a Bloomfield driver broke any of the laws listed above and caused you or a loved one harm, you should have a strong distracted driving accident case.

Not all distracted drivers are found liable for using cell phones, but it is the most common culprit. Doing one’s make-up, eating, socializing with passengers, and other activities done while driving may be just cause to assign fault. No matter the case, we handle each claim on an individual basis and will work with the facts at hand to show how the distracted driver was at fault for your losses.

How to Help Prevent Distracted Driving Accidents

Being a safe driver by avoiding cell phone use and other distractions while driving. Here are several other tips from our attorneys to help keep and your loved ones safe from Bloomfield distracted driving accidents:

Speak To Young People

Speak to teenagers and young adults about the dangers of distracted driving. Young people tend to have a more cavalier attitude towards potentially dangerous activities such as driving. For many teenagers, driving a car is their first real taste of freedom. Speak to the young adults in your life to help them understand the dangers of distracted driving, particularly texting while driving. In New Jersey, it is also illegal to use a cell phone in any capacity while driving with a graduated drivers license.

Set An Example

Set a good example through your own driving. As parents, many of us are so busy it can be tempting to check that text, email, or incoming voicemail while we are on the road. Not only is this dangerous in and of itself, but that action is showing any passengers that you believe it is okay to check your phone while driving.

Engage With Your Community

Take a public stand against distracted driving. There are many platforms through which individuals can voice their opinions. Community meetings, social media, and your school or workplace may all be places to make your stance against distracted driving known.

Let Our Attorneys Help After a Bloomfield Distracted Driving Accident