Detroit Distracted Driving Lawyer

Detroit Distracted Driving Attorney

Distracted driving accidents can cause serious injuries and major property damage. If you’ve been hurt recently by a distracted driver, contact an experienced Detroit distracted driving lawyer to investigate what happened and pursue all avenues for financial recovery. The team at Wigod & Falzon has many years of experience getting justice for victims of distracted driving.

Michigan’s Distracted Driving Laws

In 2023, Governor Gretchen Whitmer made it illegal to use a cell phone while driving a vehicle throughout Michigan. With this new law, you can’t hold your phone with your hands, arms, etc., while driving. You may one-touch connect to your vehicle’s system, but you otherwise can’t:

• Initiate or answer a video or telephone call
• Read or send a text message or email
• Record, watch, or send a video
• Read, access, or post to your social media
• Use the Internet
• Enter directional information into a navigation system

With this new hands-free law in place, you can face consequences for visual, manual, or cognitive distraction. Texting, for example, involves all three kinds of distracted driving. If you’ve been injured, a skilled Detroit personal injury lawyer can help you seek compensation.

Distracted Driving Data

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that driver inattention remains the most commonly occurring cause of most collisions and near-collisions. In 2021, distracted driving caused 3,522 fatalities across the United States. Local Detroit car accident statistics show the impact of these crashes in our area.

The Michigan State Police reported in 2023 that there were 287,953 accidents, and distracted driving was involved in 15,136 of them. Of those 2023 collisions, distracted driving unfortunately caused 5,889 injuries and 59 fatalities. With many distracted drivers in our area, if you find yourself an accident victim needing legal representation, contact the trusted team at Wigod & Falzon. If a loved one was killed, an experienced Detroit wrongful death lawyer can help you seek justice.

Penalties For Distracted Driving

If you are caught violating the distracted driving law, you can face consequences for this primary offense. These penalties include:

• First Violation. You can expect a $100 fine and/or 16 hours of community service.
• Any Subsequent Violations. You typically may face a $250 fine and/or 24 hours of community service.
• Three Violations Within a Three-Year Period. You may be required to complete a driving course to improve your driving.

It’s important to follow the new distracted driving consequences. If you find yourself the victim of an accident caused by a distracted driver, consider consulting an attorney. Understanding Michigan’s no-fault law can help you navigate your benefits.

Engage an Attorney

It is important to consult with an experienced Detroit attorney after suffering a distracted driver accident, especially if a distracted driver caused you injuries or major property damage. An attorney can:

• Discuss your legal options, like filing a legal claim against the Detroit at-fault driver
• Investigate the accident
• Prove the other driver caused the accident due to their distracted driving
• Maximize compensation
• Negotiate with involved insurance carriers to cover your expenses and other losses
• Represent you in court, if necessary
• Protect your legal rights
• Prevent avoidable mistakes
• Reduce your stress throughout the claim process
• Provide legal support to benefit your claim

Learn how to file a personal injury claim in Michigan to seek compensation. While you technically can handle your claim alone, an attorney can significantly increase your odds of receiving fair and full compensation. Contact Wigod & Falzon to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss how we can help.

FAQs

How Do I Prove Distracted Driving in Detroit, Michigan?

To prove a driver was distracted in Detroit, you typically need compelling evidence to support your claim. To prove someone else caused your accident due to distracted driving, you need to prove that a distraction and the driver’s inattention caused your accident.

An attorney can help you gather police reports, eyewitness statements, vehicle footage, and cell phone records to build a solid distracted driving injury claim.

Is Using a Cell Phone Considered Distracted Driving?

Yes, using a cell phone while driving is considered distracted driving, as it takes your attention away from driving.

Distracted driving and cell phones remain a statewide safety concern. In fact, the Michigan State Police reported that in 2023, there were 2,405 crashes and 11 fatalities throughout our state that specifically involved cell phone use. If you were hit by a distracted driver, an experienced Detroit car accident lawyer can help prove fault.

Where Can I Get Reliable Information About Distracted Driving in Michigan?

The State of Michigan provides reliable online information about distracted driving. This site includes information about distracted driving laws, what is not allowed under the distracted driving laws, tips to avoid distracted driving, and more.

Using your phone to make handheld calls or to text is not allowed in Michigan, which means you can face consequences if you’re stopped by law enforcement.

Can I Use My Cell Phone While I’m Stopped at a Traffic Light?

No, you cannot hold or use your cell phone while operating a vehicle in Michigan, including when you’re stopped at a traffic light. This includes being unable to send or receive texts, initiate or take calls, or otherwise manipulate your cell phone, even when just sitting at a traffic light.

In short, Detroit drivers may not hold or otherwise use their phones while operating their vehicles unless they are legally parked.

Call Wigod & Falzon – Trusted Detroit Distracted Driving Lawyers

The team at Wigod & Falzon has extensive experience holding distracted drivers across Michigan accountable for the poor decisions they make while operating their vehicles. If you need justice and compensation after an accident, contact our office to discuss how we can help. If you or a family member was involved in a recent accident caused by a distracted driver, you may be entitled to compensation.

Our office provides free initial consultations. If you decide to work together, we can investigate your accident and collect evidence right away. We can answer your questions and provide reliable legal assistance. We can help you move on from a vehicle collision and maximize your financial recovery. We proudly represent Detroit clients who trust us to get what they deserve.

Our Southfield law office is convenient for our Detroit neighbors, and we also have a second location in Jackson. Our Southfield location sits within the business district, which is the home to nearly 10,000 businesses, including over 100 Fortune 500 companies. Contact our team to discuss why we’re the preeminent law firm in Detroit and throughout Michigan. Contact us right away for a free initial consultation after a distracted driving accident.