Driving is an activity that requires strict attention to the road so that you aren’t putting yourself and any other drivers in danger. However, there are many distractions both inside and outside the vehicle that can take your attention away from the task at hand. When a driver allows their focus to stray from the road, they can cause serious accidents with the objects, people, and cars all around them.
These can cause severe injuries for anyone involved in the collision. If you’ve been injured in an accident with a distracted driver in Minneapolis, then you could use legal help from our Minneapolis distracted driving accident lawyer. We will protect your rights, prove the other driver was at fault, and get you full and fair compensation for your injuries and any other damages that you incurred.
Minneapolis Distracted Driving Laws
Before getting behind the wheel, you should be aware of the state’s laws for distracted driving. If you’ve been in an accident caused by a distracted driver, you aren’t at fault for what happened. The other driver might know that what they did was morally wrong, but they might not know that what they did was also illegal. In order to hold them accountable and prove that they were the one liable for the accident, it’s important for you to know Minnesota distracted driving laws.
According to Minnesota’s Office of Traffic Safety, these are the main distracted driving laws that you should know:
- Composing, reading, or sending electronic communication messages as well as accessing the internet while driving are all illegal for drivers of all ages.
- The above actions are also illegal when the driver is stopped in traffic or at a light.
- Hands-free devices and use of a navigation system are legal to use for drivers over 18 years of age.
- Drivers 18 years of age and younger cannot use a cell phone behind the wheel for any reason, which includes hands-free devices.
- School bus drivers are not allowed to use a cell phone at any time.
- Distracted driving is considered reckless or careless driving and can be ticketed by law enforcement.
Cell phone use isn’t the only way you can be distracted while driving. Communication devices are just the most prevalent causes of distraction in this day and age. There are other distractions that can occur behind the wheel, like:
- Eating
- Drinking
- Grooming
- Makeup
- Changing the radio station
- Talking to others in the car
- Daydreaming
Any of these distractions could lead to you getting a ticket for reckless driving because you weren’t paying attention to the road, which should be your only concern when you are driving a vehicle.
If someone else’s careless driving caused a collision that left you with injuries, you could use the help of our Minneapolis distracted driving attorney. We can help you recover compensation for the damages that you suffered at the hand of a negligent driver.
For a legal consultation with a distracted driving lawyer serving Minneapolis, call 612-349-2729
Distracted Driving Facts and Statistics
Drivers get desensitized to the dangers of driving. Motor vehicles are large, heavy, and travel at high speeds that can cause serious damage or even death to anyone in their path. Drivers have to be responsible for their actions. Part of that responsibility is removing all distractions from the driver’s view and mind. When they fail to do this, they are at a great risk for an accident.
According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, distracted driving causes one in seven accidents in our state. In 2019, there were over 3,000 injuries caused by distracted drivers, and 32 people died as a result of the careless act. In general, distracted driving causes about 195 life-changing injuries per year, and about 40 deaths every year in our state. Those numbers are staggering considering that they are all preventable collisions if the driver were attentive.
There are consequences that come from driving and paying attention to something else. If you’re caught driving while distracted, the first time your ticket fines and court fees will come out to $120. After your second ticket or any other later ticket, they will come out to $300 or more. Not only will you get these fines, but your insurance company could also increase their rates because you have proven to be an unsafe driver.
Additionally, if you injure or kill anyone from an accident caused by your distracted driving, then you could be charged with a felony. The state’s hands-free law includes distracted driving under criminal vehicular operation, or if you kill a person, homicide.
When you are injured by a driver who was distracted, you could use legal help to ensure that they are held accountable for their criminal actions. Our Minneapolis distracted driving lawyer is well-versed in state and federal law and will be able to guide you through the legal process.
Minneapolis Distracted Driving Lawyer Near Me 612-349-2729
How to Recover Damages
You might be wondering what damages you can recover from the distracted driver who caused your injuries and other damages. With Madia Law’s help, you’ll be able to get the compensation that you deserve for the different costs you incurred. Let’s take a look at what you can recover from your accident.
The first type of damages that we will look at to calculate how much you’re owed is economic damages. These are the real costs that you suffered as a result of your injuries and property damage. Documentation like medical bills, repair costs, and lost wages are all factored into how much you can recover. Future medical costs, inability to return to work, and future missed wages can also be included in these damages.
Noneconomic damages are the next factor into your financial compensation. These are harder to calculate and focus on more emotional and abstract costs that you suffered as a result of the accident. These include things like pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and loss of enjoyment of life. We will know how much you’re owed for these damages so that you don’t settle for less than you deserve.
With Madia as your Minneapolis distracted driving accident attorney, we will collect all the documents that prove your damages and that the other driver was at fault. And, we will use that information to calculate how much you’re owed. With our legal support, you can feel confident in your claim and know that you’ll get justice. Contact us today.
Call 612-349-2729 or complete a Case Evaluation form
