Distracted driving accidents are often entirely preventable, yet they can leave victims with serious injuries, financial stress, and lasting challenges.
Our Pittsburgh distracted driving accident attorneys at Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky, P.C., are ready to help you pursue justice and seek full compensation for your losses.
Contact us today for a free case evaluation, you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Distracted driving is any activity that takes a driver’s attention away from safely operating a vehicle. While cell phone use is often the first thing people think of, many different distractions can increase the risk of a crash.
Distractions generally fall into three categories:
Many distracted driving accidents involve more than one type of distraction at the same time.
Drivers have a responsibility to operate their vehicles with reasonable care. When a driver allows their attention to shift away from the road and causes an accident, they may be held responsible for the injuries and damages that result.
Liability depends on the facts of each case. Evidence such as witness statements, surveillance footage, police reports, and electronic records may help determine whether distraction contributed to the collision.
Depending on the circumstances, responsibility may extend beyond the individual driver. For example, an employer may also be liable if the driver was acting within the scope of employment at the time of the crash.
Pennsylvania has enacted laws intended to reduce crashes caused by distracted driving.
Under 75 Pa. C.S. § 3316, drivers are prohibited from using an interactive wireless communication device to send, read, or write text-based communications while operating a vehicle.
Pennsylvania has also enacted Paul Miller’s Law, codified at 75 Pa. C.S. § 3316.1, which generally prohibits drivers from holding or supporting an interactive mobile device while driving.
Depending on the circumstances, evidence that a driver violated these laws may become relevant during a personal injury claim, although every case depends on its own facts.
If you were injured in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, Pennsylvania law may allow you to pursue compensation. Understanding your rights early can help you make informed decisions throughout the claims process.
If another driver’s distraction caused your injuries, you may be able to pursue compensation for both the financial and personal impact of the accident.
Depending on the circumstances, compensation may include:
The amount available depends on many factors, including the severity of your injuries, the available insurance coverage, and the evidence supporting your claim.
Building a distracted driving claim often requires more than showing that a collision occurred. In many cases, the focus is on gathering evidence that helps explain why the crash happened and whether the other driver’s attention was diverted from the road.
We handle distracted driving accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Distracted driving can involve many different behaviors, not just texting while driving.
Our firm represents individuals injured in accidents involving a variety of distractions, including:
If another driver’s distraction contributed to your injuries, you may have legal options regardless of the specific cause of the distraction.
Evidence in distracted driving cases may not remain available indefinitely. Electronic records, surveillance footage, and other information may be deleted or overwritten if they are not preserved promptly.
Seeking legal guidance soon after an accident can help identify potential sources of evidence, preserve important records when possible, and ensure applicable legal deadlines are met.
Early action also provides an opportunity to begin documenting your injuries and other losses while the details of the accident are still fresh.
Distracted driving cases often involve questions that go beyond a typical car accident claim.
Determining whether a driver was using a mobile device or otherwise distracted may require careful investigation and a thorough review of the available evidence.
Since 1981, Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky, P.C., has represented injury victims throughout Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania. We work closely with our clients, explain each stage of the legal process, and pursue compensation on their behalf while they focus on their recovery.
Our firm handles distracted driving accident claims on a contingency fee basis. There are no upfront attorney fees, and you owe nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Paul Miller’s Law, 75 Pa. C.S. § 3316.1, generally prohibits drivers from holding or supporting an interactive mobile device while operating a vehicle in Pennsylvania. The law expanded the state’s restrictions on distracted driving and may become relevant in certain personal injury claims.
Evidence may include police reports, witness statements, cell phone records, surveillance footage, dashcam video, vehicle data, and other evidence gathered during the investigation. The available evidence varies from case to case.
A citation is not required to pursue a personal injury claim. Depending on the circumstances, distraction may be established through other forms of evidence, even if no traffic citation was issued.
Pennsylvania generally requires personal injury lawsuits to be filed within two years of the date of the accident. However, certain circumstances may affect the applicable deadline, so it is important to seek legal guidance promptly.
Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule. Depending on the circumstances, you may still recover compensation if you were less than 51% responsible for the accident, although your recovery may be reduced based on your percentage of fault.
In some cases, yes. Pennsylvania law allows punitive damages when a driver’s conduct is found to be reckless or to reflect a conscious disregard for the safety of others, which may apply in certain distracted driving cases, particularly those involving texting or other prohibited phone use under Paul Miller’s Law. Whether punitive damages are available depends on the specific facts and evidence in your case.
We handle distracted driving accident claims on a contingency fee basis. There are no upfront attorney fees, and you owe nothing unless we recover compensation for you. We also offer a free case evaluation with no obligation.
A distracted driver can change the course of your life in a matter of seconds. If you were injured because another driver was texting, using a mobile device, or otherwise not paying attention to the road, our attorneys can help you seek compensation for your injuries and losses.
At Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky, P.C., we’re here to answer your questions, protect your rights, and advocate for the recovery you deserve.
Contact us today at (412) 471-8500 for a free case evaluation.
