Manassas, Virginia Distracted Driving Accident Attorneys

Lawyers for Accidents Involving Texting or Other Distractions in Manassas

A moment of inattention is all that is needed for a dangerous car accident to occur. When a driver looks down at a phone, reaches for something in the back seat, or lets their attention wander, the results can be catastrophic for everyone around them. Distracted driving has become one of the leading causes of motor vehicle accidents across the United States. Busy commuter routes, school zones, and residential streets can all become more dangerous when a driver fails to give the road their full attention.

At Locklin & Coleman, PLLC, our lawyers represent people who have been hurt by negligent drivers in car accidents. We can investigate distracted driving crashes, identify the evidence needed to establish a driver's negligence, and work to secure compensation that reflects the true impact of a person's injuries.

What Counts as Distracted Driving?

Distractions that affect drivers may fall into three general categories: visual distractions where a driver looks away from the road, manual distractions where a person takes at least one of their hands off the steering wheel, and cognitive distractions where a person fails to fully focus on driving. Many distractions involve more than one of these categories at the same time.

Cell Phone Use and Texting

Handheld cell phone use is a common form of distracted driving. Sending or reading a text message will involve visual, manual, and cognitive distractions. Even though laws are in place that prohibit texting while driving, many people use phones for various purposes while behind the wheel, and they may be responsible for causing accidents.

Eating and Drinking

Drivers who eat foods and drink beverages while behind the wheel may engage in manual and visual distractions that can be easy to underestimate. Unwrapping food, holding a beverage, or cleaning up a spill can pull a driver's hands and eyes away from the task of driving.

In-Vehicle Technology

Modern vehicles are equipped with touchscreen displays, navigation systems, and other controls that can draw a driver's attention away from traffic. Adjusting climate controls, selecting music, or entering a destination into a GPS system can create cognitive and visual distractions.

Passengers and Conversations

Interactions with passengers can distract a driver's attention from the road. Turning to speak with someone in the back seat or attending to a child's needs while driving can lead to serious risks.

Daydreaming and Cognitive Distractions

Not all distractions involve physical activities. A driver can appear to be watching the road while their mind is elsewhere. Stress, fatigue, or inattention can cause a driver to miss changes in traffic, fail to notice a pedestrian, or react too slowly to avoid a collision.

Other Common Distractions

Other distractions for drivers may include reading maps or documents, grooming activities such as applying makeup or shaving, interacting with pets in the vehicle, and looking at billboards or people on the side of the road. These behaviors can take a driver's attention away from the road, making them more likely to be involved in a collision.

Types of Accidents Caused by Distracted Drivers

Distractions can contribute to virtually any type of motor vehicle crash. Certain types of accidents may be more likely when a driver is not paying full attention.

Rear-End Collisions

When a driver fails to notice that traffic ahead of them has slowed or stopped, the result is often a rear-end crash. These are among the most common accidents tied to distracted driving, and they can cause serious injuries, even when they occur at relatively low speeds. Victims may experience whiplash, herniated discs, or soft tissue injuries. High-speed rear-end impacts can lead to more severe harm.

Intersection Accidents

At intersections, drivers will need to process a significant amount of information in a short time. They will need to pay attention to traffic signals, turning vehicles, pedestrians, and oncoming traffic. A distracted driver may fail to notice a red light, miss a stop sign, or not see a vehicle or pedestrian in an intersection.

Lane Departure and Sideswipe Crashes

A driver whose attention has drifted may drift out of their lane without realizing it. This can lead to sideswipe collisions on multi-lane roads. In some cases, a vehicle may leave the road entirely and strike a guardrail, tree, utility pole, or other fixed object.

Head-On Collisions

When a distracted driver leaves their lane and crosses into oncoming traffic, the consequences can be fatal. Head-on crashes are among the most destructive types of collisions that can occur on any road.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents

People walking or cycling can be seriously injured by distracted drivers. A driver who does not see a pedestrian stepping into a crosswalk or a cyclist in a bike lane may strike them with little or no warning.

Parking Lot Accidents

Drivers who navigate parking lots while looking at their phones, searching for a space, or engaging in other distractions may cause collisions with other vehicles or pedestrians. Even though these accidents will usually involve low speeds, they can still inflict serious injuries.

Building a Distracted Driving Case

Proving that a driver was distracted at the time of a crash will often require a thorough investigation. Our attorneys work to gather and preserve evidence of a driver's distraction, which may include cell phone records showing call or message activity at the time of the collision, traffic and surveillance camera footage, witness statements, police reports, and data from a vehicle's onboard systems.

Compensation in a distracted driving accident case may cover medical treatment and ongoing care costs, lost income, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and other losses tied to the crash and its aftermath. We work to ensure that our clients will be fully compensated for all of their damages.

Contact Our Manassas, VA Distracted Driving Accident Lawyers

When distracted drivers cause accidents, victims will want to take steps to hold them accountable for the harm done. At Locklin & Coleman, PLLC, our lawyers take the time to understand what our clients have been through, and we will work to ensure that they can receive full compensation for their injuries. Contact our Manassas texting and driving accident attorneys at 703-392-6686 to arrange a free consultation and take the first step toward protecting your rights.