Is distracted driving really that serious in Pittsburgh motor vehicle crashes?
Pennsylvania – July 18, 2022
The State of Pennsylvania considers anything that causes a driver to either take their attention away from driving or take their eyes off the road or hands off the steering wheel as a distraction. The law prohibits the use of wireless or text communication including a wireless phone, PDA, smartphone, mobile computer, or similar devices while driving. There is a $50 fine for convictions plus court costs and other fees.
No impact to driver record unless commercial driver.
Because distracted violations do not penalize a driver record with points for non-commercial drivers, they may believe this is not a serious offense. However, when distracted driving results in an accident, negligence can be proven more readily and insurance or fault will impact insurance settlements, or in the case of fatality, a court decision. Commercial drivers would have a recorded non-sanction violation on their records for distracted driving convictions.
Distracted driving also includes activities such as eating, drinking, and smoking because they require hands to come off the steering wheel and periods where eyes are not on the roadway. Even adjusting music, mirrors or other car features can result in temporary distractions and should be undertaken when the motor vehicle is not in motion.
Determining liability.
Determining liability after a motor vehicle crash is difficult and specialists are usually sent to the scene to identify any conditions that will give insight as to the reason behind the crash. Insurance adjusters may try to reduce settlements for driver violations. Driver distraction is a common driving offense, and is serious in the State of Pennsylvania, but a determination needs to be made before insurance settlements will reflect driver negligence. An experienced personal injury attorney can be of assistance when dealing with insurance companies, calculating medical expenses and future losses that will make up the total award after an accident that results in injuries.
Damage compensation.
Insurance compensation for any loss sustained as a result of a vehicle accident may be possible in the State of Pennsylvania. Call an accident attorney who can help support negligence by assigning “fault” in a legal proceeding that addresses property damage, physical injuries, and wrongful death. Damages that may be recovered include:
- Medical bills
- Current and future compensation losses
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of care, companionship
- Estate administration expenses
- Funeral expenses if a wrongful death occurs
“No fault” insurance.
Under Pennsylvania’s no-fault system, a driver may turn to his or her own insurance company for compensation for injuries up to the personal injury protection, or “PIP” limit, regardless of fault. Drivers also have the right to circumvent Pennsylvania’s no-fault law and proceed directly against the at-fault driver under certain circumstances. An experienced attorney at Scanlon & Wojton, LLC, can be instrumental in fault determinations and insurance settlements after distracted driving leads to an accident with property damage and personal injury harms.
Scanlon & Wojton, Attorneys at Law
The Mitchell Building
304 Ross Street, Second Floor
Pittsburgh, Pa 15219
Phone: (412) 918-1241
Fax: (412) 235-7275
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