How to Prove Distracted Driving in a Washington Car Accident
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) identifies distracted driving as one of the leading causes of car accidents in the United States. This negligent action by another can leave you and your loved ones with significant injuries and give you the legal right to pursue compensation from the at-fault motorist.
Your chances of receiving monetary compensation, though, depend on your ability to prove that the motorist’s attention was on a cell phone or other distractions at the time of the crash.
3 Sources of Information to Prove Distracted Driving
There are several sources of information you and your car accident attorney can use for evidence of distracted driving. These include:
1. Observations of Witnesses
One of the best ways to show a driver was distracted at the time of your wreck is through the statements of eyewitnesses who observed the driver. The testimony of multiple witnesses whose observations are consistent with each other is especially persuasive.
The police accident reports from your crash can identify witnesses. In addition, you may be able to find individuals at the scene of the crash who saw the at-fault driver before the crash. Make certain you obtain their name and contact information so you can call them as witnesses if necessary.
2. Cell Phone Records
Cell phones are a major cause of distracted driving, according to NHTSA. Therefore, it is usually a good idea to pursue a copy of the driver’s cell phone records, if possible.
Through the discovery process, you can obtain the information needed to request records of calls, texts, and other messages sent or received by the driver around the time of the crash.
3. Data from the Car’s Computer
Finally, data stored by the at-fault driver’s car may prove that they were distracted when the crash occurred. Data that shows a sudden attempt to brake just before the crash, for example, can suggest that the driver was not paying attention. Similarly, abrupt steering inputs can indicate the driver’s lack of attention in the moments before the car collision.
What a Washington Car Accident Lawyer Can Do for Your Case
Harlan Law Firm has the knowledge to help you following a car wreck. We can investigate the cause of your collision and assist you in holding the responsible party accountable for your injuries and losses. Contact Harlan Law Firm today and enlist our assistance in your distracted driving lawsuit.