Hamden Auto Accident Attorneys

The following are typical examples of distracted driving:

• Texting
• Talking on the phone
• Eating
• Adjusting vehicle controls

Connecticut has clear laws prohibiting the use of mobile devices while driving, even at stoplights. Drivers are prohibited from using hand-held mobile phones and other electronic devices to engage in voice communications while their vehicle is in motion. However, adult drivers can use hands-free devices, while drivers under 18 are prohibited from using any phone.

A distracted driving accident can potentially lead to devastating injuries for innocent victims. It is best to involve a distracted driving accident attorney to help hold the distracted driver accountable. A distracted driving attorney’s quick action can help preserve evidence that can prove that the other driver momentarily took their attention off the road.

Facts About Distracted Driving in Connecticut

Distracted driving remains a major concern in Connecticut, with nearly 5,200 crashes attributed to it in 2022 alone. Here are some quick facts:

• At any given moment, approximately 660,000 drivers across America are using electronic devices while driving.
• In 2020, over 3,100 lives were lost nationally in crashes involving distracted drivers.
• Around 8% of all fatal crashes in 2020 involved a distracted driver.
• Connecticut law prohibits using hand-held mobile devices while driving. Fines range from $200 for the first offense to $625 for the third offense.
• Teen drivers aged 16-17 are prohibited from using any cell phone, even hands-free.
• Distracted driving is especially dangerous for truck drivers operating large commercial vehicles.

A distracted driving accident attorney can provide you with invaluable support and representation for your claim. Experienced distracted driving attorneys know how to look for evidence that a driver was distracted, which can establish their liability for your losses.

Vehicle Accidents Caused by Speeding

Speed is one of the very first lessons drivers need to learn to maintain. If a driver speeds, they are not only breaking traffic laws but also putting themselves and others at risk. In a speeding accident, drivers may cause traumatic injuries to pedestrians, cyclists, and occupants of other vehicles.

Connecticut is an “at-fault” state, which means that the driver who is at fault for the accident is responsible for compensating those injured. Compensation is awarded through a modified comparative negligence system, and a defendant may not recover damages if they are found to be 51% or more at fault. Additionally, the amount a victim can recover may be reduced proportionally to their own negligence. That makes it critical to protect your interests from the start against allegations that you may have contributed.

Why Speeding Is the Largest Cause of Auto Accidents

Everyone is in a rush to be somewhere, and they must make it there even at the expense of others. This is one of the biggest reasons why speeding accidents are so common. 

Many speeding accidents are caused by:

• People rushing to and from work or events
• Drivers following other vehicles too closely
• Drivers failing to stay in the property lane
• Failing to stay in the proper lane
• Weaving in traffic due to aggressive driving
• Failures to yield the right of way

It does not matter why a driver caused an accident. What matters most is that someone was injured because of another person’s actions.

How Is Speed Determined in a Car Accident?

Gathering evidence showing a driver was speeding is important in a vehicle accident case. Tire marks on the road, the damage done on impact, and the position of the vehicles after they come to rest often reveal the physics of the moment. This can lead to liability through professional testimony and accident reconstruction, whether the accident involved a head-on crash, a rear-end collision, or a side swipe.