Detroit Distracted Driving Accidents Lawyer

WE TAKE A STAND AGAINST NEGLIGENT DRIVERS

We Fight for Your Rights and to Get You the Best Outcome

Distracted driving is a form of negligence. A driver who has allowed a distraction to interfere with the safe operation of a motor vehicle has failed to exercise reasonable care. If the driver causes an accident, they should be held legally responsible for any harm that results.

If you have been involved in an auto accident caused by a distracted driver, a Detroit distracted driving attorney from Goodman Acker, P.C., can explain your rights and help you commence the compensation process. Contact us at 248-286-8100 to book a free case review.

Why Choose Our Detroit Distracted Driving Lawyer?

At Goodman Acker, P.C., we know the devastating effects of distracted driving car accidents on victims. Therefore, we compassionately and aggressively handle your case to obtain a favorable outcome and help you get your life back on track. We have done this for over three decades and will continue to do so with our team of dedicated and reliable attorneys.

Our distracted driving attorney offers personalized representation to every client, and we do not treat anyone as more important than the other. We will be with you throughout your case and work on a contingency fee basis. This means you don’t have to pay us upfront; we only get paid when we secure a good outcome.

Call us at 248-286-8100 to learn more about how we can help you.

What Is Distracted Driving?

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) defines distracted driving as “any activity that could divert a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving.” Under Michigan law:

• Drivers of all ages are prohibited from texting while driving.
• Drivers under age 18 with a Level 1 or Level 2 learner’s permit (novice drivers) cannot use cellphones of any kind while driving (“Kelsey’s Law”).
• Commercial motor vehicle drivers and school bus drivers cannot use hand-held cellphones while driving.

Also, the DOT notes several acts can be considered distracting, including:

• Reading or sending a text message
• Talking on a cellphone (hand-held or hands-free)
• Changing a radio station or adjusting a CD or MP3 player
• Reading or adjusting GPS
• Eating, drinking, or smoking
• Combing one’s hair or applying makeup
• Talking with passengers
• Dealing with a loose pet.

When distracted, the driver may fail to safely operate their vehicle, including tailgating the car in front, racing through a stop sign or red light, and drifting into an adjacent lane or onto a sidewalk. It should be no surprise that in Michigan, distracted driving is one of the leading causes of traffic accidents like drunk driving.

In 2020, 5.8% of the crashes in Michigan involved a distracted driver. This amounted to 14,236 collisions; there were 48 fatalities and 5,560 injuries. When involved in a crash caused by a distracted driver, ensure you get legal representation immediately to protect your rights.

Why Is Distracted Driving Important to Your Michigan Auto Accident Case?

Michigan is a no-fault state. So, a driver’s distraction will not always be a factor in your car accident case. You may recover first-party benefits from your insurance company – no matter who is at fault. However, in some cases, you (or your loved one) may have suffered a “threshold injury.”

This is defined under Michigan law as a “serious impairment of body function,” meaning an objectively manifested injury impairs a vital body function. It affects a person’s “general ability to lead their normal life.” If this has occurred in your case, you can seek third-party benefits from the other driver’s insurance coverage. It will require showing the other driver’s fault, such as distracted driving.

To prove distracted driving, you need the following evidence:

• A police report
• Eyewitness statements
• Cell phone records
• Surveillance footage
• Expert testimony
• Crash reconstruction report.

With the above, our attorneys can prove that the at-fault driver failed in their duty of care by driving distracted, which led to the accident that harmed you.

Distracted Driving Accidents in Detroit FAQs

When distracted driving accident victims visit our office for the first time, they have questions about the claims process and the compensation they can receive. The following are some of the frequent questions we encounter:

How Much Is My Distracted Driving Accident Case Worth?

There is no fixed settlement amount, as each case is decided on the merits. But your compensation depends on the type and severity of the injury, medical bills, lost wages, etc.

What Will My Compensation Cover? 

Your compensation will cover your economic and non-economic damages. This includes all your medical bills, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, etc.

I Was Also Distracted When the Accident Happened. Will It Affect My Compensation? 

Yes. Michigan is a comparative negligence state, so your percentage of fault will determine your settlement. So, if you were 30% liable, you would only receive 70% of the amount awarded.

How Long Do I Have to Commence a Distracted Driving Accident Case?

Under the Michigan statute of limitations, you have three years from the accident date to take legal action after a distracted driving accident. The time starts counting the day the crash happened.

How Can Our Distracted Driving Attorney Help You?

When you hire our distracted driving lawyers, we will help you with the following:

• Evaluation of your case to determine its strengths and weaknesses
• Legal advice and guidance on the steps to take
• Investigate the accident and gather evidence to prove your case
• Handle settlement negotiations
• If the at-fault party does not offer a fair settlement, we’ll file a lawsuit and represent you at trial.

We will keep you updated throughout the process and guide you to make only the best decisions.

Contact Our Detroit Distracted Driving Lawyers for Help

If you or a loved one has suffered a “threshold injury” in an auto accident in Detroit or elsewhere in Michigan, Goodman Acker, P.C., can assist you in establishing whether the other driver’s distraction caused the crash. We are Detroit’s power law firm – a highly-skilled, experienced, and ethical legal team that works tirelessly to seek fair compensation for those who have been harmed by the negligence of others, including victims of distracted drivers.

Contact us at 248-286-8100 to book a free case evaluation.

LEGALLY REVIEWED BY BARRY J. GOODMAN

Barry J. Goodman has devoted his professional life to keeping courthouse doors open for victims seeking justice. Always a tireless advocate for his own clients, Goodman sees his responsibility as a Detroit personal injury attorney in a broader sense as well. [ Attorney Bio ]