Distracted driving is a common problem across Long Island and throughout the U.S. If you are the victim of a distracted driving crash, returning to your daily life can be a challenge. Physical injuries and financial losses can make it hard to make ends meet while you wait to get an insurance settlement that covers your losses. If your no-fault coverage isn’t enough, you may need to pursue damages through other methods.
Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC is here to help you determine the best way forward. Our Long Island car accident lawyers have more than 85 years of experience fighting for injury victims. Our team has recovered millions of dollars for our clients, and we are prepared to do what it takes to maximize your award or settlement. Don’t fight solo – let our team handle your case while you focus on recovery. Contact our distracted driving accident lawyers on Long Island today for a free case review.
Hire a Law Firm With a Proven Track Record for Success
Getting the right legal help can make all the difference when you need a fair financial recovery. Our Long Island accident attorneys know how to get results for your claim. We can:
- Determine who is liable: We know how to get evidence, such as police reports, witness statements, and videos to prove how your accident occurred.
- Assess your damages: After a distracted driving crash, you have the chance to secure compensation for the medical expenses, lost income, and other damages. We help you obtain documents to prove your losses and maximize your payout.
- File an insurance claim: You have a limited time to file a claim following a distracted driving collision. Incorrect or late filings can create unnecessary and expensive difficulties. We can ensure your case is filed on time, so you have the best possible chance for a desirable outcome.
- Negotiate with insurers: Most personal injury lawsuits are settled outside the courtroom. Since insurers are motivated to pay as little as possible, you benefit from having a lawyer who knows how to handle negotiations on your behalf.
- Represent you at trial: If the insurance company fails to offer a reasonable settlement, we will create a personalized case strategy and advocate for your rights before a judge or jury.
At Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC, we are committed to getting the best results for your distracted driving case. Let us use our extensive experience to secure the compensation you deserve.
Distracted Driving Leads to Serious Accidents on Long Island
The NHTSA reports that approximately 13% of injury crashes and 8% of all fatal crashes in the U.S. involve distracted driving. According to the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, distracted driving is the primary contributing factor to motor vehicle collisions in New York State. Long Island alone saw over 200 traffic fatalities in 2022, and distractions were a key factor.
Distracted driving is any non-driving you do while operating a vehicle. The three primary types of distraction are:
- Manual: Takes your hands off the wheel
- Visual: Removes your eyes from the road
- Cognitive: Takes your mind away from the act of driving
Distracted driving can take many forms. Common examples include texting or using a phone, eating or drinking, adjusting the radio or GPS, and even talking to passengers. Each of these activities can divert a motorist’s hands, eyes, or mind from the task of driving, often with serious consequences.
Distracted Driving Can Cause Catastrophic Injuries
Without full attention on the road, a distracted driver can rear-end, T-bone, sideswipe, or hit another vehicle head-on, causing life-altering damage. Such accidents often occur at high speeds, resulting in more severe injuries.
Catastrophic injuries from distracted driving accidents on Long Island may include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Face and head injury
- Neck and back damage
- Spinal cord damage
- Soft tissue injuries
- Burns
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Crushing injuries and internal damage
- Loss of limb or amputation
Severe injuries can leave you and your loved ones with years of recovery, medical bills, and income loss. Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC’s Long Island personal injury attorneys can help you seek compensation for these damages, as well as emotional distress, pain and suffering, and diminished quality of life.
Wrongful Death Due to Distracted Driving
If someone you love passed away because of a distracted driver, we are truly sorry for your loss. We know a legal claim may feel overwhelming right now. Our compassionate wrongful death lawyers can help family members of a wrongfully deceased person recover compensation from the driver responsible.
Compensation from a wrongful death claim can cover funeral and burial expenses, medical bills, diminished income, and loss of support. Contact us today to get help with your case.
How New York’s No-Fault Rules Affect Your Distracted Driving Claim
New York law requires all drivers to carry personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. PIP is designed to cover medical expenses and a portion of your lost income after an accident, regardless of who is at fault.
Some serious injuries require more than you can get from a PIP policy. In that case, you can file a claim with the distracted driver’s auto liability insurance. Unlike PIP, liability policies require proof that the other driver was at fault.
Proving Negligence for a Distracted Driving Case
Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC’s Long Island distracted driving lawyers know how to investigate the cause of your accident and gather evidence to prove the elements of negligence:
- Duty of care: The driver had a responsibility to drive safely and obey New York’s distracted driving laws.
- Violation of duty: The driver used an electronic device or engaged in another non-driving activity in violation of the law.
- Causation: The distracted driver’s violation of the law led to your collision.
- Losses: You sustained physical, psychological, or financial damages because of the crash.
Contact Our Office for a Free Consultation With a Distracted Driving Attorney on Long Island
Time is short after an auto collision in New York. Injury victims generally have three years to file a lawsuit against the responsible party. Wrongful death claimants only have two years. The deadline can be sooner in some situations, and you could lose the chance to get compensation if you fail to file on time. Don’t risk it – contact our office today to start the legal process with a free consultation.