Whenever you get behind the wheel of a modern motor vehicle, you are putting yourself in control of a massive hunk of metal that can weigh up to two tons and is capable of reaching speeds of over 100 miles per hour. With that in mind, it hardly needs to be said how important staying focused is while driving, not just for the safety of other people around you but for the safety of your passengers and yourself as well.
Unfortunately, not everyone is as responsible in this regard as they should be, and that has led to distracted driving being one of the most common causes of auto collisions in the District of Columbia and nationwide. If you are hurt in a distracted driving car accident in DC that was someone else’s fault, you should contact a seasoned lawyer to discuss your options for civil litigation.
Like many other parts of the United States, the District of Columbia has specifically prohibited people from reading, writing, or sending text messages while behind the wheel of an automobile. D.C. Code § 50-1731.04 goes even further than that by banning the use of mobile phones or any other type of electronic device while operating a moving motor vehicle, with limited exceptions for:
While the DC Department of Motor Vehicles strongly recommends that drivers refrain from distracting themselves behind the wheel in other ways, there are no traffic laws expressly prohibiting drivers from doing things like:
This is one of the primary factors that makes distracted driving car crashes in DC uniquely tricky to take proactive legal action over.
While distracted driving qualifies as a breach of the duty all drivers have to act responsibly and lawfully while driving, it is not the only breach that could serve as grounds for a civil lawsuit. For example, if someone rear-ends another car because they were talking on the phone and not paying attention to their speed, the fact that they were speeding would likely be enough to make them legally at fault for the wreck, regardless of whether the injured person suing them can prove they were also distracted at the same time.
With that said, distracted driving car accident claims in DC can sometimes require more evidence from more varied sources in order to end positively for the plaintiffs pursuing them, including things like:
Assistance from qualified legal counsel can be essential to tracking down, preserving, and making effective use of all relevant information after a wreck like this.
Distracted drivers are one of the most dangerous things you can encounter on the roads of the nation’s capital, especially on highways like Interstate 495. On top of that, conclusively proving that someone caused a collision by being distracted behind the wheel can be much harder than you might expect, especially if you try to do it all by yourself.
Getting the compensation you deserve after a distracted driving car accident in DC will be much easier with a knowledgeable auto accident lawyer from Price Benowitz on your side. Call today to schedule a free case evaluation.
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