A driver’s irresponsible actions can cause an accident and leave someone seriously injured in countless ways. However, some types of negligence are far more common than others. Alongside speeding and drunk driving, distracted driving is one of the leading causes of auto accidents not just in the state of New Jersey but all across the United States, especially in largely suburban areas like Woodbridge Township.
As if that were not enough, filing a lawsuit for a distracted driving car accident in Woodbridge is often more challenging than the injured person expects. Determining exactly how someone else was distracted behind the wheel can be a deceptively complicated process. If you want to maximize your chances of getting fair financial restitution after a wreck like this, you should strongly consider seeking help from a knowledgeable car accident lawyer at Fredson Statmore Bitterman, LLC.
Does Distracted Driving Qualify as Legal Negligence?
Most of the time, holding someone else legally liable for injuries stemming from a traffic accident requires proving them legally negligent, which entails proving that they caused the wreck by breaching their duty of care. Everyone who operates any kind of motor vehicle on public roads has the same duty of care, requiring them to obey traffic laws, watch out for nearby vehicles, and generally act like a reasonable person behind the wheel.
Certain kinds of distracted driving—most notably, texting and driving—violate New Jersey state law and someone who causes a car wreck in Woodbridge while engaging in that behavior can likely be held at fault for crash-related losses. In other situations, the injured individual may have to prove that someone else was distracted behind the wheel through evidence like witness testimony, surveillance or dashboard camera footage, and crash scene photos, all of which legal counsel can help collect and effectively use.
Getting Paid Fairly Within Filing Deadlines
Legal counsel can also assist with identifying and proactively demanding compensation for all losses stemming from a distracted driving car crash in Woodbridge. While every case is unique, just like every injured person is, examples of damages that often factor into claims of this nature include:
- Physical pain and discomfort
- Lost enjoyment and quality of life
- Emotional anguish and trauma
- Short-term and long-term medical bills
- Lost work income, benefits, and future earning ability
- Car repair or replacement costs and other expenses stemming from personal property damage
Perhaps most importantly, a dedicated lawyer can help an injured person formally file suit against the person responsible for their injuries within the applicable filing deadline, which New Jersey Revised Statutes § 2A:14-2 sets at two years after the date of the initial accident for most car crash claims.
Contact a Woodbridge Attorney For Help With Your Distracted Driving Accident Case
Being hurt in a wreck that was not your fault is always an intensely frustrating experience, even if you eventually recover from the harm over time. That said, distracted driving car accidents in Woodbridge can be especially aggravating, and they also have the potential to cause injuries and losses that may never entirely go away. Contact us for a free case evaluation.