17% of all car crashes are caused by distracted driving in North Carolina, according to the North Carolina Department of Transportation. That means nearly one in five collisions involves a driver who was texting, eating, adjusting controls, or simply not paying attention.
For victims, these accidents often come without warning—and the consequences can be life-changing. If you’ve been injured in one of these incidents, a North Carolina car accident lawyer can help you understand your rights and pursue the compensation you may be owed.
The Scope of Distracted Driving in North Carolina
Distracted driving isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a leading cause of preventable crashes across the state. In 2023 alone, North Carolina reported:
- Over 44,000 crashes involving distracted driving
- More than 22,000 injuries attributed to driver distraction
- At least 130 fatalities directly linked to inattentive drivers
These numbers reflect only reported cases. Many more accidents likely involved some level of distraction that wasn’t documented, making the true percentage even higher.
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What Counts as Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving can take many forms, and it’s not limited to texting or phone use. The key factor is that the driver’s attention is pulled away from operating the vehicle safely.
- Visual distraction: Looking away from the road
- Manual distraction: Taking hands off the wheel
- Cognitive distraction: Thinking about something other than driving
Common examples include:
- Texting or using a phone: Illegal and especially dangerous due to triple-layered distraction
- Eating or drinking: Frequent during commutes, often underestimated
- Adjusting GPS or radio: Brief moments that can lead to lasting damage
- Talking to passengers: Can lead to cognitive overload
- Zoning out or daydreaming: Surprisingly common and hard to track
These actions might seem harmless until they result in a crash, and that’s when the legal consequences begin.
How Distracted Driving Impacts Injury Claims
When a distracted driver causes a crash, their behavior may be used as proof of negligence. But proving distraction isn’t always simple. Without direct evidence—like cell phone records, witness accounts, or surveillance footage—insurance companies may push back against your claim.
That’s why it’s important to work with a legal team that knows how to dig deeper. Whether it’s a minor rear-end collision or a multi-vehicle highway crash, distracted driving can affect how liability is assigned and how much compensation you’re eligible to recover.
If you were hit by someone you believe was distracted, a truck accident lawyer or car accident attorney can help you gather the evidence needed to prove fault and fight back against lowball settlement offers.
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How We Help Victims of Distracted Driving
At DeMayo Law Offices, we’ve seen firsthand how devastating distracted driving accidents can be. We represent victims across North Carolina who were hit by drivers who weren’t paying attention, and we take pride in holding those drivers accountable.
Here’s what we do:
- Investigate the crash: Obtain phone records, vehicle data, and police reports
- Interview witnesses: Build a strong timeline of what happened
- Consult experts: Including accident reconstructionists and digital forensics professionals
- Handle insurers: So you don’t have to deal with tactics designed to minimize your claim
With more than 250 years of combined legal experience, our team is here to fight for what’s fair, not just what the insurance company thinks you deserve.
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Steps to Take After a Distracted Driving Crash
If you believe a distracted driver caused your injuries, act quickly to protect yourself and your case:
- Call 911: Get medical help and make sure a police report is filed
- Document the scene: Take photos of damage, road conditions, and anything in the other driver’s hands (like a phone)
- Speak to witnesses: They may have seen the driver acting distracted
- Avoid admitting fault: Even a small apology can be used against you
- Seek medical care: Even if symptoms are delayed
- Call a lawyer: The sooner we get involved, the better we can protect your rights
The longer you wait, the more difficult it may be to access the evidence needed to prove the driver was distracted.
Why Distracted Driving May Be Underreported
While the official data shows that 17% of all crashes in North Carolina involve distracted driving, experts believe the real number is likely much higher. That’s because distraction is difficult to measure and often goes unnoticed or unadmitted at the scene of a crash.
Many drivers won’t admit to texting or being distracted when talking to police or insurers. Unless someone witnesses the behavior or phone records are reviewed, it can go undocumented. In cases where the crash causes severe injury or confusion, victims may not even realize that distraction played a role.
This is one of the many reasons why working with a North Carolina car accident lawyer is so important. Your legal team can help investigate and uncover forms of distraction that may otherwise go unproven—and ensure the right parties are held accountable.
Call DeMayo Law Offices if You Were Hit by a Distracted Driver
If you were injured in a crash caused by distracted driving, don’t take the insurance company’s word for what your case is worth. You deserve answers, and you deserve accountability.
Call DeMayo Law Offices today. We’ll help you uncover the facts, build your case, and pursue the full compensation you’re owed. We don’t just handle claims—we stand up for the people behind them. That’s why we always put People Over Profits™, and why we’re proud to be Your North Carolina Law Firm™.
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