Distracted driving is a leading cause of car accidents across the U.S., and the Garden State is no exception to that rule. According to the New Jersey Department of Transportation, cell phone usage alone accounted for over 1,400 crashes in the state in a recent year, with 126 of them occurring in Monmouth County.
Distracted driving accidents in Monmouth County, NJ, can have severe consequences. You may be left with temporary or permanent disabilities that interfere with your ability to earn a living or perform household tasks.
If you suffer an injury, Noonan & McMahon, LLC can help you fight for fair compensation from the distracted driver and their insurer. Contact our office at (732) 303 7857 for a free case evaluation with an experienced Monmouth County car accident attorney.
How Noonan & McMahon, LLC, Can Help You After a Distracted Driving Accident in Monmouth County, NJ
The team of Monmouth County car accident lawyers at Noonan & McMahon, LLC has successfully recovered millions of dollars for injured clients. We have decades of combined experience standing up to at-fault parties and the powerful companies that insure them.
If you were injured in a crash caused by a distracted driver in Monmouth County, New Jersey, our attorneys will provide you with the following services:
- Listening to your story and informing you about your legal options
- Collecting evidence, including accident reports and medical records
- Filing your insurance claim and negotiating with the adjuster to settle it
- Litigating aggressively against at-fault drivers and insurers that refuse fair settlements
Car accident injuries can threaten your physical well-being and financial future. Contact our Monmouth County personal injury lawyers for a free consultation to discuss your injuries and the compensation you can seek for them.
How Many Distracted Driving Crashes Happen in New Jersey?
Though New Jersey does not release detailed statistics regarding distracted driving, the state does offer a fact sheet that illustrates the extent of its distracted driving problems.
In a four-year period, the state experienced 800,000 crashes wherein investigators identified distracted driving as a major contributing cause. This number translates to an average of 160,000 distracted driving crashes per year across the state.
Additionally, of the 126 crashes that occurred in Monmouth County due to cell phone use (both handheld and hands-free), 43 involved non-fatal injuries. Thankfully, there were zero fatalities.
Causes and Consequences of New Jersey Distracted Driving Accidents
Distracted or inattentive driving has been a concern for New Jersey officials for over two decades. The state bans both texting and handheld cell use while driving. Violating these bans can result in a traffic citation, with punishments including fines and points on the offender’s driving record.
More importantly, distracted driving can cause crashes that injure or kill motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists. Distracted drivers can bear the liability for all reasonable and necessary expenses and losses incurred as a result of the crashes they cause.
Causes of Distracted Driving Crashes
Distracted driving happens when a driver attempts to multitask while driving. The other tasks draw the driver’s attention, eyes, and hands away from driving. As a result, the driver will fail to spot obstacles and hazards and properly avoid them.
The following distractions can lead to a crash:
- Eating or drinking
- Talking
- Texting
- Reading
- Reaching for dropped objects
- Watching videos
- Adjusting the GPS or radio
Inattentive driving, a related phenomenon, occurs when a driver simply fails to pay attention to the road.
The following scenarios might lead to inattentive driving:
- Strong emotions, like anger or sadness
- Fatigued driving
- Daydreaming or zoning out
Any of these behaviors can result in a crash. However, one particularly common scenario happens when a distracted or inattentive driver fails to see a braking car in front of them. They slam into the vehicle ahead, causing a rear-end collision. Both drivers and their passengers may suffer serious neck and brain injuries from conditions like whiplash.
Liability and Compensation For Distracted Driving Injuries
New Jersey vehicle owners can choose the type of insurance coverage they buy. This can affect the kinds of damages they are able to receive compensation for.
Owners who choose a limited right to sue can only receive basic benefits (i.e., no non-economic damages) from the insurer unless they suffer any of the following:
- Death
- Dismemberment
- Significant disfigurement or scarring
- Displaced fracture
- Loss of a fetus
- Permanent injury
People who choose the unlimited right to sue can pursue all damages from a negligent driver, including their non-economic losses, even if they haven’t suffered the injuries listed above.
To prove negligence, it must be shown that the other driver failed to exercise reasonable care. Since drivers (should) know the dangers of distracted driving, an attorney may be able to prove negligence and recover compensation for your losses.
The compensation you receive can cover your economic and non-economic losses. Economic damages include your financial costs, such as past and future medical bills, missed paychecks, and future diminished earnings. Non-economic damages, on the other hand, involve reductions in your quality of life due to your injuries, such as the pain and suffering you endure.
Schedule a Free Initial Consultation With Our Monmouth County Distracted Driving Accident Lawyers
In Monmouth County, distracted driving crashes can cause serious or even fatal injuries. Contact Noonan & McMahon, LLC for a free consultation to discuss your situation and learn how we can help you pursue fair compensation for your injuries.