Distracted Driving Accident Lawyers in York, PA
Holding irresponsible drivers accountable for 40 years
No one should ever drive while distracted. There’s no text, phone call, sandwich, or other distraction that can’t wait until the driver gets to their destination or can stop safely. At KBG Injury Law, our car accident lawyers have the experience and resources to show that the driver who struck you was distracted and why they were distracted. Our York distracted driving lawyers hold drivers accountable for the pain and suffering, medical bills, lost income, and property damage they cause. Call us now to assert your right to compensation.
In one illustrative case, we obtained a $650,000 settlement in a York County case for a man who needed a hip replacement after a distracted driver crossed over double yellow lines and hit him head-on.
How can we help?
- What is distracted driving?
- Why is driver distraction dangerous?
- How do your car accident lawyers show a driver was distracted while driving in York, PA?
- Who is responsible for distracted driving accidents in York, PA?
- How do you advocate for victims of distracted driving accidents?
- Do you have a York, PA, distracted driving lawyer near me?
What is distracted driving?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines driver distraction as any conduct that takes a driver’s attention away from driving safely. The three types of driver distraction include:
- Visual distraction. Not looking at the road in front and around the car.
- Manual distraction. Not having both hands on the steering wheel.
- Cognitive distraction. Not concentrating on how to anticipate and respond to traffic emergencies.
Causes of driver distraction
Our York distracted driver lawyers have the experience to show that the driver who caused your accident was distracted due to one of the following reasons:
- Texting while driving
- Using a mobile device for communicating with others, looking at the Internet, or for any other reason
- Eating, drinking, or smoking
- Looking at any images or videos
- Adjusting any entertainment devices
- Looking at a GPS device instead of listening to it
- Tending to a pet in the car
- Engaging with other passengers
- Personal grooming
- Reading
- Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Looking at an accident or anything outside of the car other than the traffic
Why is driver distraction dangerous?
According to the United Judicial System of Pennsylvania (UJSP), in 2021, there were 2,163 citations for distracted driving in the state. About one in three of the citations were drivers in their 20s and 71% of the drivers were male.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 3,300 people died in 2022 due to driver distraction.
Pennsylvania’s driver distraction law
The USJP states that police can issue primary citations (there’s no need for an officer to observe another traffic violation like speeding) for using headphones while driving, using a handheld mobile device while driving a commercial vehicle, or texting while driving any vehicle. “Texting includes sending, reading, or writing a text-based message.” Driving in traffic also includes being stationary while waiting for a light to change or for clearance to proceed through an intersection.
Pennsylvania further defines a mobile device as:
A handheld wireless telephone, personal digital assistant, smart phone, portable or mobile computer, or similar device which can be used for voice communication, texting, emailing, browsing the Internet, instant messaging, playing games, taking or transmitting images, recording or broadcasting videos, creating or sharing social media or otherwise sending or receiving electronic data.
How do your car accident lawyers show a driver was distracted while driving in York, PA?
At KBG Injury Law, our car accident attorneys take numerous steps to show that your accident was due to driver distraction.
- The discovery process. We formally question the driver, any passengers in the driver’s car, and any eyewitnesses such as the people in nearby cars. We review where the driver’s trip started, the path the driver took, what the driver was doing during their journey, and what the distracted driver was doing immediately before the accident.
- Evidence of distraction. We review cell phone records, electronic logging devices, other electronic devices, food wrappers, beverage containers, and other types of evidence that indicate driver distraction.
- The accident site. Our investigators examine the layout of the accident site, speak with eyewitnesses, and ask local businesses and homeowners if they have any video of the accident.
- Talk with the police. We review the police accident reports and, when necessary, speak with the officer who investigated the accidents.
We use many other strategies depending on the type of distraction and how the accident happened.
Who is responsible for distracted driving accidents in York, PA?
Our York distracted driving lawyers file personal injury and wrongful death claims against everyone responsible for your accident. The defendants may include:
- The distracted driver.
- An employer of the distracted driver. For example, a pizza delivery store may be liable if its driver was looking at a GPS while delivering a pizza.
- The owner of the vehicle. For example, parents may be liable if their child gets into an accident because they were texting while driving.
Uber and Lyft may be liable if one of their drivers causes an accident while transporting a passenger. Other defendants may also be liable, including other drivers.
How do you advocate for victims of distracted driving accidents?
In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations for filing a car accident claim is two years. We recommend that you contact us as soon as possible, so we can investigate the accident while the evidence is fresh (for example, the cell phone records are intact) and so we can review your medical needs.
In addition to determining who is liable and why, our York distracted driving lawyers work with your doctors to understand the full scope and severity of your injuries. We demand compensation for all your current and future damages, including:
- Medical bills of every type, from emergency care and hospitalizations to rehabilitative therapy and pain management.
- Lost income, including wages, benefits, salary, business income, and long-term disability compensation.
- Physical pain and emotional suffering for every day you ache, cry, have anxiety, or experience any type of trauma.
- Property damage, including the cost to fix or replace your vehicle.
- Scarring and disfigurement, loss of bodily function, inability to enjoy life’s pleasures, and loss of consortium.
At KBG Injury Law, we also file wrongful death actions on behalf of families when distracted driving accidents are tragically fatal.
Do you have a York distracted driving lawyer near me?
Yes. We meet car accident victims at our York offices, located at 110 N. George St., 3rd Floor, and 2121 S. Queen St. If your injuries prevent you from traveling, we can arrange to see you at your home, a hospital, or another location. We also speak with clients by phone and through online video platforms.
We understand how frightened and angry you are. We’re ready to prepare you for each stage of your claim.
Talk with our respected York, PA, car accident attorneys today
Accidents change lives for months, years, and sometimes even permanently. At KBG Injury Law, we have nearly 40 years of experience holding drivers accountable for the injuries and deaths they cause. Our York distracted driving attorneys have helped many Central Pennsylvania residents obtain the financial resources they need to move forward. Please call us or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation. KBG Injury Law also maintains offices in Lancaster, Harrisburg, Hanover, and Gettysburg.