Fairfax, VA Distracted Driving Accident Attorney

Skilled Distracted Driving Accident Lawyers Holding Negligent Drivers Accountable in Fairfax, Virginia

There are many forms of negligence that can lead to devastating car crashes. In many cases, accidents occur simply because a person took their eyes off the road or allowed their mind to wander while they were behind the wheel. Distracted driving is an increasingly common issue on the roads in Virginia and across the United States. It regularly leads to crashes that can range from minor fender-benders to catastrophic, life-altering collisions. People injured by distracted drivers will need to understand their legal options and the steps they can take to recover compensation.

At Shevlin Smith, P.C., our attorney works with car accident victims to address negligence that led to injuries and make sure they will be made whole. He provides personalized legal services in every case, taking the time to understand exactly what happened and how a crash has affected a person's life. He ensures that injury victims have the representation they need to secure full and fair compensation that will address the damages that have occurred because of someone else's negligence.

Types of Driving Distractions

Distractions that can affect people while driving may include visual distractions in which a driver does not look at the road, manual distractions in which a person uses their hands for something other than driving, and cognitive distractions that divide a person's attention between driving and other activities. Common issues that can lead to distracted driving accidents include:

Cell Phones and Mobile Devices

Texting requires a driver to look away from the road, take at least one hand off the wheel, and mentally focus on composing or reading a message. Even though Virginia law prohibits handheld phone use while driving, many drivers continue to check text messages, make calls, or use their phones for other purposes.

Navigation and Infotainment Systems

Modern vehicles often have touchscreen displays that control navigation, music, climate, and other functions. Programming a destination, adjusting climate settings, browsing through radio stations or songs on a media player, or other uses of these systems can take a person's attention away from the road for an extended period of time.

Eating and Drinking

Eating a meal or drinking a beverage while driving will require a person to take one or both of their hands off the wheel. They may need to glance down at foods held in their lap. Spills can cause drivers to react in ways that may result in a loss of control over their vehicle.

Grooming and Personal Care

Applying makeup, brushing hair, shaving, or other grooming activities performed while driving will require both visual and manual attention. A person may be looking in the mirror rather than at the road. They may not be fully in control of their vehicle while they hold objects.

Interacting With Passengers

Conversations with passengers can sometimes cause a person to take their attention away from the road. Drivers may also become distracted when attending to children or pets in the back seat.

Reaching for Objects

A dropped phone, a fallen bag, or another object on the floor of a vehicle, in the back seat, or in another location can be a distraction for a driver. A person may need to take their hands off the wheel to reach for an object, and they may completely look away from the road, preventing them from seeing what is happening around them.

Daydreaming and Mental Distractions

A driver can become distracted by thinking about work, personal matters, or anything unrelated to driving. Cognitive distractions can be just as dangerous as visual or manual distractions due to a reduced awareness of a person's surroundings.

Why Distracted Driving Is So Dangerous

Operating a motor vehicle safely requires a person to maintain continuous attention on the road, the handling of their vehicle, and other factors. Conditions on the road can change in a fraction of a second, and when a driver is not fully paying attention, they may not be able to react in time to address potential hazards.

A driver who looks away from the road for just a few seconds can travel a long distance without any awareness of what is happening around them. Rather than noticing a hazard immediately, a distracted driver may take one or more seconds to realize what is happening, leaving them without enough time to brake or swerve.

Distractions can also affect a driver's ability to control their vehicle correctly. A person who has only one hand on the wheel or who is reaching for an object may not be able to act quickly and swerve around an obstacle. All of these issues can combine to prevent a person from being able to react correctly and avoid crashing into another vehicle or pedestrian.

Contact Our Fairfax Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer

Our law firm takes distracted driving cases seriously. We understand the devastating injuries that can occur in these accidents, and we know how frustrating these situations can be when a collision could have been prevented if a driver had acted safely. Our lawyer will take steps to determine what happened before and during a crash, review the available evidence, and explain the legal options in clear, straightforward language. He will handle communications with insurance companies, ensuring that an injury victim can focus on their recovery. To schedule a free consultation and get the legal help needed in these situations, contact our Fairfax, VA distracted driving car accident attorney at 703-591-0067.