Utah Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer

In the digital age, devices, notifications, and distractions are constantly vying for drivers’ attention. Therefore, it’s no surprise that “driver error” — which includes distracted driving — is the leading cause of death on American roads.

Utah has stringent laws related to distracted driving. Texting and driving was made illegal in the state in 2017, and as recently as 2022, Governor Cox signed Senate Bill 102, an addition to the state’s distracted driving laws that bans using phone cameras behind the wheel. However, these rules don’t always deter people from taking risks. In Utah alone, there were more than 27,500 accidents related to distracted driving between 2017 and 2021. Eighty-three people lost their lives in these incidents, and more than 15,000 individuals were injured.

Along with the physical and emotional effects of an accident, distracted driving can carry civil penalties or even lead to criminal charges. No matter your role in an incident, you’ll want to have a trustworthy Utah distracted driving accident lawyer on your side.

Reach out to Valley Law Accident and Injury Lawyers at (801) 810-9999 for personalized guidance and advocacy services. Their experienced team can help you receive the compensation you might be entitled to if you were hurt in a distracted driving accident.

Why You Need a Utah Distracted Driving Accident Attorney

In the aftermath of an accident, you’ll have many tasks to attend to. If the accident was minor, you’ll still need to contact your insurance agency, assess the damage, potentially make arrangements for alternative transportation, and coordinate with law enforcement for any reports or documentation.

If the accident was severe, you’ll need to manage the aforementioned tasks along with getting medical care, arranging time off of work, and rescheduling other obligations as you recover. Serious accidents can also cause stress, anxiety, fear, and other mental and emotional side effects that can impact you, so you may need to take additional steps for your mental well-being. Further, if the incident leads to legal action, you’ll have to manage the complex justice system while juggling all of these stressors.

Legal proceedings after a distracted driving accident can have serious implications for your future. Without proper guidance, proceedings can drag out for months or years, and you could be on the hook for significant expenses. Therefore, hiring a distracted driving accident attorney is worthwhile to increase your chances of being treated fairly by insurance companies and other parties in an accident.

Accident attorneys use various resources to help their clients. Every case is different, so specific services will vary depending on your needs. An attorney may assist you by:

• Helping you investigate the accident cause while obtaining all available evidence
• Accurately projecting expenses, including current and future medical bills for related injuries, vehicle damage costs, and potential lost income if you’re unable to work
• Helping you understand how Utah’s distracted driving rules apply to your situation
• Representing you and your interests in a court of law, if needed

If you’re found at fault for distracted driving, they’ll help you understand the damages and seek to limit your liability to what is fair for the situation.

Common Injuries Following a Car Accident

People are often tempted to sneak in a quick call or text on a flat stretch of highway or to glance at a social media app while at a stoplight. Further, modern cars have robust “infotainment” systems that can be distracting in and of themselves. Outside of technology-related risks, drivers can drift off course while eating behind the wheel, staring at surrounding scenery, pushing to reach a destination after a long day of driving, or fussing with items or children in their vehicles.

Drivers often forget that distracted driving can have serious consequences. In seconds, a pedestrian could step into your path, an animal could cross the road, or the driver in front of you could slam on their brakes. Conversely, you could be following all the rules of the road, but if another driver fails to do the same, you could be a victim of their inattention.

Even small accidents can result in injuries. Further, physical harm from an accident isn’t always apparent at first. Therefore, it’s crucial to monitor your health and keep track of any signs of discomfort or pain. Watch for the following symptoms and document anything from this list that you notice, as well as anything else that feels unusual to you.

Immediate or Obvious Injuries

Right after a distracted driving accident, you may have clear injuries that need urgent medical attention. These issues could be caused by the force of being hit by another car, broken glass or falling debris, twisted metal, being impaled by an object, getting slammed back into your seat by an airbag, or many other factors.

Some immediate or obvious injuries you may experience after an accident with a distracted driver include:

• Cuts, scrapes, swelling, or bruises
• Broken bones
• Internal pain in any part of your body
• Ringing ears or a headache
• Broken teeth
• Burns on your skin or hair
• Harm to your eyes or vision

Chances are that you’ll feel a flood of emotions and adrenaline after the impact. A crash can be a traumatizing event, and you might be inclined to jump into action before assessing your own well-being.

That said, you should take stock of any clear injuries as soon as you can safely assess yourself. If possible, take photos of external wounds and the accident scene for future reference. Encourage other adults in your vehicle to do the same, and document any injuries to minor passengers as well. These images can serve as valuable evidence for a distracted driving accident lawyer.

Delayed Injuries

In some cases, you might walk away from an accident scene feeling shaken, but also feeling physically unaffected. However, many common late-onset issues will surface within 24-48 hours. Keep an eye out for:

• Stomach pain: Stomach pain can be a symptom of internal bleeding or organ damage. If the pain persists, you should seek immediate medical care to ensure that you aren’t bleeding. Internal bleeding can be fatal in some instances.
• Lightheadedness or headaches: You may suffer a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in an accident. TBIs damage the soft tissue in your brain and can lead to long-term cognitive problems. If you had a concussion, for instance, you may notice dizziness or migraines as a result. These symptoms may be accompanied by confusion, mood swings, light or sound sensitivity, or memory loss.
• Numbness or tingling: Your body can get jarred in various ways during an accident. As a result, accident victims often struggle with herniated discs or pinched nerves. Pay attention to any numbness or tingling, as these symptoms can be indicative of nerve damage. You may need professional treatment to alleviate these discomforts.
• Neck, back, or shoulder pain: Your shoulders, neck, and back are part of a complex and delicate system that impacts coordination and balance. If your shoulders and neck are aching, you may have suffered whiplash from the sudden movement of your vehicle. In the case of back pain, it’s possible that you have a herniated disc or a spinal cord injury. In fact, car crashes were the leading cause of spinal cord injuries between 2010 and 2013. Don’t underestimate the severity of these injuries — anything that affects your back, neck, or shoulders can have long-term repercussions.
• Behavioral or mood changes: You may experience mood or behavioral changes as a result of a distracted driving incident, as well as changes in sleep, energy, or appetite. Regardless of whether the changes are subtle or significant, they should not be ignored. Accidents can lead to a variety of mental conditions like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, or anxiety. Without proper treatment, these conditions can impact your life and affect your safety on the road moving forward.

No matter the severity of your accident, you can suffer obvious and non-obvious injuries that impact the quality of your life and your emotional well-being. You may have isolated, acute episodes of discomfort or chronic pains resulting from your accident. When possible, avoid being alone after a crash so that a family member or friend can rapidly respond if you need medical help.

Find the Right Utah Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer at Valley Law Today

If you’ve been injured by a distracted driver in an auto, truck, or motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, or other expenses. Conversely, if you are found at fault in a distracted driving accident, you may face lengthy and costly litigation.

At Valley Law Accident and Injury Lawyers, we’re dedicated to helping you maximize the amount of compensation that you can receive, always seeking what is fair and reasonable given the circumstances. We’ll evaluate your situation and help you discover various avenues of action. In all cases, our attorneys draw on their extensive experience and knowledge of Utah driving laws to serve you in the best possible manner.

Call Valley Law Accident and Injury Lawyers at (801) 810-9999 to schedule a free consultation today, or contact us online.