When someone chooses to text, talk on the phone, eat, or engage in other distracting activities while driving, they put everyone else on the road at risk. If you’ve suffered an injury in an accident caused by a distracted driver, you’re probably dealing with medical bills, lost income, and the knowledge that your injuries could have been avoided if the other driver had simply paid attention to the road.
Our Morgantown distracted driving accident lawyers understand your anger and frustration. We’ve helped numerous clients throughout West Virginia hold distracted drivers accountable for their dangerous choices and recover the compensation they deserve.
Our team knows how to investigate distracted driving accidents, gather evidence to prove that the other driver was distracted, and fight aggressively for your rights.
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Why Choose Robinette Legal Group?
At Robinette Legal Group, we have the experience, resources, and determination needed to take on distracted driving cases and win. Our clients throughout Morgantown trust us because we get results and treat every case with the personal attention it deserves.
Deep Understanding of Distracted Driving Cases
Our distracted driving accident attorneys have handled cases involving all types of driver distraction, from texting and phone calls to eating, grooming, and GPS use.
We understand how different types of distraction affect driving ability and how to prove that distraction caused your accident. This knowledge allows us to build stronger cases and achieve better client outcomes.
We stay current on the latest research about distracted driving, changes in state and federal laws regarding phone use while driving, and new technologies that can help prove distraction occurred. This experience allows us to identify evidence that other attorneys might miss and build compelling cases that demonstrate exactly how the other driver’s distraction caused your injuries.
Advanced Investigation Techniques
Proving that a driver was distracted at the time of an accident often requires sophisticated investigation techniques. Our team knows how to obtain cell phone records, analyze GPS data, review social media posts, and work with accident reconstruction experts to build a complete picture of what happened in the moments leading up to your crash.
We also understand how to work with technology companies and wireless carriers to obtain critical evidence before it’s deleted or lost. Modern vehicles and smartphones generate enormous amounts of data that can prove a distraction, but this evidence often disappears quickly if not preserved properly. Our rapid response capabilities ensure that key evidence is protected while it’s still available.
Proven Track Record in Personal Injury Cases
Our personal injury attorneys have successfully handled hundreds of cases involving car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, and other serious injuries. This broad experience gives us a deep understanding of how insurance companies operate, what evidence is most persuasive in court, and how to maximize compensation for our clients.
We’ve recovered significant settlements and verdicts for clients injured by distracted drivers, and we’re not afraid to take cases to trial when insurance companies refuse to offer fair compensation. Our reputation for thorough preparation and aggressive advocacy means that insurance companies take our cases seriously from the beginning.
Local Knowledge and Convenient Access
Our Morgantown offices are strategically located to serve clients throughout the area. You can find us at 211 Everhart Dr, Ste 200, which is easily accessible from I-68 and located near Ruby Memorial Hospital, making it convenient if you’re dealing with ongoing medical treatment.
Our second office at 256 High St. Ste 100 is right in downtown Morgantown, just a few blocks from the Monongalia County Courthouse and easily accessible from the WVU campus.
We understand the local traffic patterns, dangerous intersections, and common areas where distracted driving accidents occur in Morgantown. This local knowledge helps us investigate your case more effectively and present compelling arguments about why your accident happened where it did.
Distracted Driving Accident Compensation
You may be entitled to substantial compensation if you suffered an injury from a distracted driver. The amount you can recover depends on factors like injury severity, impact on your life, and long-term effects.
Compensation may include medical expenses, such as emergency care, ongoing treatment, and future medical costs. You may also recover lost income and reduced earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work.
Pain and suffering damages acknowledge the physical and emotional trauma, loss of enjoyment of life, and other non-economic impacts.
Additionally, property damage to your vehicle and personal belongings can be covered. Our Morgantown, WV car accident attorneys ensure you receive fair compensation for repairs, replacement, and damaged personal items, and we work to maximize your overall settlement.
Where Do Distracted Driving Accidents Occur in Morgantown?
Morgantown’s busy roads and college town atmosphere create numerous opportunities for distracted driving accidents. Understanding where these accidents commonly occur can help explain why your accident happened and may be vital for proving liability in your case.
University Avenue and the surrounding streets near the WVU campus see frequent distracted driving accidents, particularly involving young drivers who may be more likely to use their phones while driving. The area around the Mountainlair and downtown campus experiences heavy pedestrian traffic, making distracted driving especially dangerous. Student drivers unfamiliar with the area may be more likely to use GPS devices or look at their phones for directions, increasing the risk of accidents.
Interstate 68 through Morgantown is another hotspot for distracted driving accidents. The highway’s long, straight stretches can give drivers a false sense of security, leading them to engage in distracting activities like texting or eating while driving. The interchanges at Star City and Cheat Lake are particularly dangerous because drivers may be looking at their phones for directions while navigating complex traffic patterns.
The Mon Boulevard corridor, which carries heavy commuter traffic between different parts of Morgantown, sees numerous distracted driving accidents during rush hours. Drivers stuck in slow-moving traffic may be tempted to check their phones, answer calls, or engage in other distracting activities. The numerous traffic lights and intersections along this route create additional opportunities for distracted driving accidents to occur.
Types of Distracted Driving
Understanding the different types of driver distraction helps explain how these accidents happen and why they’re so dangerous. Distracted driving falls into three main categories, and many accidents involve multiple types of distraction occurring simultaneously.
Visual distraction occurs when drivers take their eyes off the road to look at something else. It includes looking at phones, GPS devices, passengers, or objects outside the vehicle. Even a brief glance away from the road can be deadly at highway speeds, where a vehicle travels significant distances in just a few seconds.
Manual distraction happens when drivers take their hands off the steering wheel to perform other tasks. These include texting, eating, drinking, adjusting radio controls, or reaching for objects in the vehicle. Manual distraction reduces a driver’s ability to maintain vehicle control and respond quickly to changing traffic conditions.
Cognitive distraction involves mental activities that take a driver’s focus away from driving, even if their eyes remain on the road and their hands stay on the wheel. It includes talking on the phone, daydreaming, or being lost in thought about personal problems. Cognitive distraction can be just as dangerous as other types because it prevents drivers from processing what they’re seeing and making good decisions.
Texting while driving is particularly dangerous because it combines all three types of distraction. When someone texts while driving, they’re looking at their phone (visual), using their hands to type (manual), and thinking about their conversation (cognitive). This triple threat makes texting while driving one of the most dangerous activities a person can engage in behind the wheel.
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Common Injuries in Distracted Driving Accidents
Distracted driving accidents often result in severe injuries due to the driver’s failure to brake or take evasive action. Common injuries include whiplash and neck injuries, particularly in rear-end collisions, which can cause chronic pain and mobility issues. Traumatic brain injuries are also common, with lasting effects on memory, concentration, and cognitive function. Severe brain injuries can be life-altering.
Spinal cord injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis, requiring lifetime medical care and dramatically affecting quality of life. Broken bones and fractures often require surgery and extended recovery periods, potentially resulting in permanent limitations. Internal injuries can be life-threatening and may not be immediately apparent, which is why immediate medical attention is important after a distracted driving accident.
Fighting the Insurance Companies
Insurance companies representing distracted drivers often try to deny or minimize claims by arguing that distraction wasn’t the cause of the accident or that other factors were more critical. They may claim that road conditions, weather, or mechanical problems caused the accident rather than the driver’s distraction. These arguments are designed to reduce their financial liability and pressure you into accepting a smaller settlement.
Insurance adjusters are trained to look for ways to blame accident victims for their injuries. They might argue that you were speeding, following too closely, or failed to take evasive action to avoid the accident. They may also question the severity of your injuries or claim that your medical treatment was unnecessary or excessive.
Our distracted driving accident attorneys know how to counter these tactics with solid evidence and expert testimony. We work with accident reconstruction specialists who can demonstrate exactly how distraction caused the accident, medical experts who can explain the full extent of your injuries, and economists who can calculate your future losses. This comprehensive approach to building your case makes it much harder for insurance companies to deny or minimize your claim.
We also understand the pressure tactics that insurance companies use to try to force quick settlements. They may contact you soon after the accident with an offer that seems reasonable but is far below what your case is worth. Our attorneys handle all communication with insurance companies, so you don’t have to deal with these pressure tactics while trying to recover from your injuries.
What to Do After a Distracted Driving Accident
If you’ve suffered an injury in a distracted driving accident, take these steps to protect your health and legal rights. Document the accident scene, taking photos of vehicles, injuries, and any evidence of distraction. Get witness contact information and descriptions of what they saw.
Seek immediate medical attention, even if you don’t think you’re seriously injured. Preserve evidence of the other driver’s distraction, such as noting their phone use or other distracting activities. Keep detailed records of medical bills, missed work, and expenses related to your injuries.
Avoid discussing the accident on social media or giving statements to insurance companies without an attorney.
Contact our experienced Morgantown personal injury attorneys as soon as possible to preserve evidence and protect your interests. West Virginia has a two-year statute of limitations, but acting quickly ensures the best possible outcome.
How Our Distracted Driving Accident Lawyers Can Help
When you choose Robinette Legal Group for your distracted driving accident case, you’ll get a team of experienced advocates fighting for your rights.
Our attorneys will conduct a comprehensive case investigation, examining the accident scene, reviewing police reports, and gathering physical evidence. We’ll also obtain cell phone records, GPS data, and other electronic evidence to prove the other driver’s distraction.
We’ll work with expert witnesses, including accident reconstruction specialists, medical experts, and technology experts, to build a strong case. Our experienced attorneys will aggressively negotiate with insurance companies, using solid evidence and expert testimony to counter their tactics and reach a fair settlement.
If necessary, we’re prepared to take your case to trial. We’ll conduct a complete damage assessment, working with medical professionals, economists, and other experts to ensure you receive compensation for all your losses, including future impacts.
Call Robinette Legal Group Today to Speak with a Morgantown, WV Car Accident Attorney
Jeff Robinette, Morgantown Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer
If you’ve suffered an injury in an accident caused by a distracted driver in Morgantown or anywhere else in West Virginia, don’t let the insurance companies take advantage of you.
The distracted driver who caused your accident made a choice to put everyone else on the road at risk, and they should be held accountable for that choice. Remember, you only have two years to file a lawsuit in West Virginia, so never wait to call our firm today.
At Robinette Legal Group, PLLC, we offer free consultations. During these consultations, we’ll review your case, answer your questions, and explain your legal options with no obligation. Contact us today at (304) 594-1800 to schedule your free consultation and take the first step toward getting the justice and compensation you deserve.
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Robinette Legal Group, PLLC – Morgantown Office Location
211 Everhart Dr Ste 200,
Morgantown, WV 26508
Ph: 304-509-3444
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