There are three main types of distracted driving: visual, manual, and cognitive. Visual distractions are those that cause you to take your eyes off the road. Manual distractions are those that cause you to take your hands off the wheel. Cognitive distractions are those that cause you to take your mind off driving.

Texting and driving is one of the most dangerous forms of distracted driving because it involves all three types of distractions. When you send or read a text message, you take your eyes off the road for an average of five seconds. If you are driving at 55 mph, that is the equivalent of driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed.

Other common forms of distracted driving include:

• Talking on a cell phone
• Using a navigation system
• Adjusting the radio, CD player, or MP3 player
• Watching a video
• Eating and drinking
• Grooming
• Talking to people in your vehicle
• Reading, including maps
• Using a laptop or tablet

Some of the most common injuries include the following:

• Whiplash and Neck Injuries: Sudden stops or collisions often cause whiplash, a neck injury resulting from a rapid back-and-forth neck movement.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): When the head is violently struck or jolted, it can result in a traumatic brain injury. TBIs can vary from mild concussions to serious brain damage, leading to long-term cognitive, physical, and emotional impairments.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Harm to the spinal cord could lead to partial or full paralysis. These injuries often demand extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.
• Broken Bones and Fractures: The impact of a distracted driving accident can cause broken bones and fractures, requiring surgery and long recovery periods.
• Internal Injuries: The force of a crash can cause internal injuries, like damage to organs, internal bleeding, and other life-threatening conditions.
• Cuts and Lacerations: Broken glass, sharp objects, and debris can cause deep cuts and lacerations, leading to significant blood loss and scarring.
• Emotional and Psychological Trauma: Beyond physical injuries, victims may also suffer from emotional and psychological concussion, which includes post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression.

Here are the crucial steps to follow:

• Ensure Safety and Seek Medical Attention: The first priority after an accident is to ensure everyone's safety. If you or anyone else is injured, make sure to seek medical attention immediately. Even if injuries seem minor, it is crucial to get a medical evaluation, as some injuries could not be immediately apparent.
• Call the Police: Contact the police to report the accident. A police report will deliver an official record of the incident, which can be valuable when filing an insurance claim or seeking legal action.
• Gather Evidence: Collect as much evidence as possible at the scene of the accident. Make sure to obtain all contact information from witnesses, as their testimonies can be crucial in establishing fault.
• Exchange Information: Exchange all contact and insurance information with the other driver. Make sure to get their name, phone number, address, driver's license number, and insurance policy details.
• Avoid Admitting Fault: Be cautious with your statements at the scene. Dodge admitting fault or making statements that could be used against you later.
• Notify Your Insurance Company: Note the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible. Provide them with the necessary details and cooperate with their investigation.
• Keep Records: Keep detailed records of all medical treatments, expenses, and any correspondence that are related to the accident. This includes medical bills, repair estimates, and any other costs incurred due to the accident.
• Consult a Distracted Driving Accident Attorney: Seeking legal counsel is vital to protecting your rights and ensuring you receive fair compensation.

If you have suffered injuries in a distracted driving accident, you have the right to seek compensation for various damages, including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. In New Hampshire, you have a three-year window from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If, unfortunately, you have lost a loved one in a distracted driving accident, you may be eligible for compensation to cover funeral expenses, loss of consortium, and other applicable damages. In this case, the same three-year statute of limitations still applies.

It is important to note that New Hampshire is a modified comparative negligence state. This means that if you are found to be partially at fault for the accident, your damages will be reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found to be more than 50% at fault for the accident, you will be barred from recovering any damages.

For example, let’s say you were injured in a distracted driving accident and you suffered $100,000 in damages. If the court finds that you were 20% at fault for the accident, your damages will be reduced by 20% to $80,000. If the court finds that you were 60% at fault for the accident, you will be barred from recovering any damages.

After suffering an injury in a distracted driving accident, you may be entitled to compensation. However, recovering compensation is not always easy. The insurance company may try to deny your claim or make a lowball settlement offer. That’s why it’s important to have an experienced personal injury attorney on your side.

Attorney Mark Rufo can help you fight for the full, fair compensation you are owed. Our team can:

• Investigate the accident and gather evidence to prove liability
• Handle all communication with the insurance company and other parties involved
• Calculate the full extent of your damages, including future medical expenses and lost wages
• Negotiate with the insurance company to reach a fair settlement
• Take your case to court, if necessary, and present a strong case on your behalf

Our team is dedicated to helping the injured. We will fight tirelessly to protect your rights and help you get the compensation you deserve. We offer free initial consultations and there are no fees unless we win your case.

An experienced personal injury attorney can help you understand your rights and guide you through the process of filing a claim. At the Law Office of Attorney Mark Rufo, we are committed to helping the injured. We have extensive experience handling all types of car accident cases, including those involving distracted driving. Our team can help you fight for the full, fair compensation you are owed. We offer free initial consultations and there are no fees unless we win your case.