Kentucky Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer | Texting While Driving Accidents
Kentucky implemented a 2011 ban on distracted driving, joining the nation’s rise in concern over the risk of distracted driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) claims that distracted driving was responsible for 3,450 traffic accident deaths in 2016 alone.
Most people think this is simply texting while driving, but distracted driving is more than just texting. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has published a flier helping raise awareness of distracted driving, outlining three main categories of distracted driving:
- Visual - taking your eyes off the road
- Manual - taking your hands off the wheel
- Cognitive - taking your mind off what you’re doing
Thus examples of distracted driving can include (but are not limited to):
- Taking your eyes off the road and hands off the wheel to attend to a child or pet
- Streaming movies, TV or YouTube videos on your smartphone
- Reading a traditional book or a book on a digital device
- Grooming or putting on makeup
- Trying to find a dropped object or reaching for something in another seat
The DMV published statistics on Kentucky distracted driving accidents for 2016. They show that the distracted driving accidents are incredibly common and often fatal.
- Human Inattention - 54,840 collisions (36.81% of all KY crashes) - 155 fatalities
- Distractions - 7,688 collisions (5.15% of all KY crashes) - 18 fatalities
- Cell Phone Use - 1,146 collisions (0.77% of all KY crashes) - 8 fatalities
These 181 total fatalities represent 21.7% of Kentucky’s 2016 traffic fatalities, which totaled 834.
As smartphones, tablets and connected devices continue to rise in popularity, these numbers may continue to rise.
Accidents involving distracted drivers often include:
- Trucking accidents
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
Importance of Experienced Kentucky Injury Lawyer in Distracted Driving Cases
While distracted driving represents nearly a fourth of Kentucky traffic fatalities, distracted driving can be very difficult to prove. Kentucky law enforcement officers have a tricky time citing drivers they believe are distracted, since loopholes in the law allow people to claim they were “looking up a number” on their phone and avoid citation.
This is why it is so important to get eyewitness statements on the initial police report. Did the driver look distracted? Did you see him or her with both hands on their phone sending a text when they merged into your lane and hit your vehicle? Did other passengers or bystanders notice anything?
This is where quickly contacting an experienced Kentucky personal injury lawyer. There are questions you may not be thinking to ask or other issues such as the preservation of evidence that an experienced lawyer knows may greatly improve your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve.
FREE Consultation within 24 Hours - Guaranteed
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident involving a distracted driver, don’t hesitate to reach out to the experienced Kentucky personal injury lawyers at Dallas & Turner, PLLC. We represent accident victims all across Kentucky and have experience with all types of auto accident cases.
Call now at (859) 630-0666, talk to us via live chat or email us using our FREE online contact form to schedule your FREE consultation. We guarantee you will be speaking with an experienced accident attorney within 24 hours. We don’t get paid until you get paid, so our clients get the financial peace of mind knowing we are focused on getting the compensation they deserve!
Don’t hesitate! Call now (859) 630-0666!
James Ryan Turner, Experienced Injury Lawyer in Florence, KY
"Distracted driving or texting while driving accidents can cause serious injuries, but they can also be very difficult cases when it comes to proving the distraction. Let us put our experience to work for you -- contact us now!"
