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Legal Consequences of Distracted Drivers

Distracted driving

While driving is a common part of our everyday lives, we often take for granted how much we rely on other drivers to make safe decisions. Motor vehicles driving at any speed have the potential to cause terrible damage in a split second and therefore require that drivers pay proper attention to their primary task of controlling their vehicle. Distracted drivers don’t exercise this care.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration describes distracted driving as occurring when “drivers divert their attention from the driving task to focus on some other activity.” Some of the factors that can divert attention are texting, talking on a cell phone, eating food, taking care of personal hygiene, and talking with passengers. Sometimes, distracted driving goes from negligence to plain recklessness. Consider the Tesla driver who used the car’s autopilot feature and drove blindfolded to make a viral challenge video.

The effects of distracted driving are devastating. According to the Centers for Disease Control, vehicular accidents caused by distracted drivers claim over three thousand lives a year. Texting while driving is among the most frequently mentioned form of distracted driving—in fact, using a cell phone to text or communicate without a hands-free device is a misdemeanor crime in Nevada. Nevertheless, all distracted driving can result in the serious injury or death of other people.

Holding Distracted Drivers Accountable

Personal injury laws in Nevada provide that people who injure others by way of wrongful act or neglect are financially liable to damages to the injured person. When it comes to a negligence claim, the victim must be able to demonstrate that the driver had a reasonably “duty of care” to the victim and that the duty was breached, resulting in injury. If you have been seriously injured by a distracted driver, your attorney may be able to obtain damages to compensate you for lost wages, medical expenses, and various “non-economic” damages like pain and suffering.

Viloria, Oliphant, Oster & Aman L.L.P.

If another driver has seriously injured you, you have a legal right to pursue a claim for damages. Viloria, Oliphant, Oster & Aman, L.L.P. is a professional law firm that provides top-quality legal representation for personal injury claims. Our attorneys have a winning record and have successfully fought for millions of dollars in damages for our clients. We work on a contingency fee basis. Call Viloria, Oliphant, Oster & Aman L.L.P. today at (775) 227-2280 to schedule a free consultation or contact our office through our website.

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