Between 2016 and 2018, there were over 900,000 crashes caused by distracted drivers in the US alone. Around the world, people often find themselves the victims of a distracted driving accident through no fault of their own.

If this has happened to you, you might be feeling scared and vulnerable, not knowing where to turn. Read on for definitive information on what your next steps should be.

What Is Distracted Driving?

Distracted driving is defined as any activity that takes the driver’s attention away from driving. This could be texting while driving, eating or drinking behind the wheel, or adjusting the navigation or stereo system within the car.

Texting is often the most dangerous distraction. Sending or reading a text will take the driver’s eyes off the road for about five seconds. This may not seem like much but, when traveling at 55mph, that can take a car the length of a football field.

When drivers are distracted, they are clearly more likely to get into accidents, endangering not just the lives of themselves and their passengers, but also the lives of those in other cars or on the sidewalk. In 2018 alone, distracted driving killed 2,841 people.

What to Do After a Distracted Driving Accident

If you’ve been the victim of an accident from a distracted driver, it’s obviously an incredibly stressful time. The first thing you need to do is make sure that you are physically taken care of. Go to a hospital and seek medical treatment for any injuries you might have sustained.

The next step after having a crash with a distracted driver is to get a copy of the police report. Someone at the scene will likely have called the police. From the report, you can see if there were any witnesses and request their contact information.

The next step is to find a personal injury lawyer. Make sure that they make the prosecutor in charge of your case is aware of any of your injuries. This will help to stop the defense lawyer of the distracted driver from negotiating the case down to something less serious.

When it comes to the aftermath of a distracted driving accident, you will also likely be dealing with an insurance company. Discuss your options with your lawyer to see what would be most beneficial to your case. Don’t agree to anything with your insurance company until you’ve had a second opinion, because it can affect how the law case plays out.

Even well after the accident has occurred, feel free to seek professional help from a therapist at any time. You’ve been through a lot and it may have had a lasting impact on your mental health. It’s always best to seek professional support, rather than trying to tough it out on your own.

Keen to Learn More?

Being involved in a distracted driving accident is a turbulent time for anyone. No one should have to go through something like that, but it’s reassuring to have a guide of what to do if the worst should happen. Remember there are those out there to help you through every step of the process, from legal support to medical and mental health aid.

If this information on what to do after a distracted driving accident was helpful, you might benefit from some of our lifestyle articles. Browse through them for tips on everything from relationships to home and garden.