Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car crashes in the United States. Distracted driving car accidents in Brentwood are no exception. These accidents are responsible for significant property damage and injuries ranging from minor sprains and strains to wrongful death.

When you or someone you care for suffers injuries in a car crash and suspect distracted driving played a role in the accident, speak to an experienced auto collision attorney at OnderLaw right away. We will help you take legal action against the person who chose to drive recklessly and cause you harm. We will also advocate for the fair compensation you need to recover from your accident-related injuries. At OnderLaw, we’re not just on your side, we’re by your side.

Common Causes of Distracted Driving Car Crashes

Distracted driving is any activity that diverts the driver’s attention from the road. The most common causes of these accidents tend to revolve around technology. The following list is not comprehensive, but is representative of the type of distractions that most commonly lead to car accidents. These distractions include:

  • Cell phone usage
  • Eating and drinking
  • Adjusting the music
  • Adjusting a GPS device
  • Children requiring attention
  • Speaking to other passengers

Missouri has strengthened its distracted driving laws, including a mandate that all cell phone usage be hands-free when a person is behind the wheel of a car.

Any person involved in a distracted driving automobile crash should immediately seek medical attention and the advice of an experienced personal injury attorney. While you have the right to pursue a lawsuit for your damages, strict time limits apply. In Missouri, the time limitation to file suit is generally five years. However, several factors could lengthen or shorten that time limit.

Moreover, the longer you wait to take legal action, the greater the likelihood that crucial evidence is lost. Speaking to a qualified Brentwood lawyer from OnderLaw soon after a distracted driving wreck will help preserve evidence and ensure you do not lose your right to seek the compensation you need and deserve.

Potential Damages Available After a Distracted Driving Accident

The financial compensation an injured person receives after a successful lawsuit is referred to as damages. The potential damages available include economic, non-economic, and—in rare cases—punitive damages.

Economic Damages

Economic damages compensate you for all out-of-pocket expenses they accrued as a result of the collision. For example:

  • Current and future medical bills
  • Property damage
  • Lost wages
  • Lost future wages all fall under the umbrella of economic damages

For this reason, it is important that you keep a running ledger of all expenses you incur due to the accident.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are more difficult to assign a precise value because they compensate people for injuries that do not have a readily identifiable dollar amount. For example, non-economic damages could cover your:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Reduced quality of life
  • Loss of companionship
  • Mental suffering or anguish

A reliable Brentwood attorney with experience in distracted driving accidents understands how to assign value to these damages and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. We will help you get the financial payments you need for every form of harm you experience.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are rare and subject to limits in Missouri. These damages are not intended to compensate you for a specific loss. Rather, they punish the responsible driver for exceptionally egregious contact. They also work to deter others from engaging in similar conduct.

Contact a Brentwood Distracted Driving Car Accident Attorney

Distracted driving car accidents in Brentwood pose a significant danger to our roadways. These accidents can cause serious injuries and even death. Speaking with legal counsel as soon as possible after the crash will put you in the best position to collect and preserve evidence necessary to your claim, ensure that you comply with all filing deadlines, and allow your attorney to negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.

At Onder Law, we understand the trauma you are experiencing after an auto collision and are here to ease your burden so that you can focus on healing. Contact us today for a free case evaluation. We will be with you every step of the way.