Distracted Driving
Over 30 years of experience. Over $100 million recovered for clients.
Distracted Driving
Over 30 years of experience. Over $100 million recovered for clients.

New Jersey Distracted Driving Car Accident Attorney

Distracted driving is one of today’s leading public safety issues. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), every day an estimated nine people die and 1,153 people are injured nationwide in vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver.

Between 2004 and 2013, there were approximately 3 million motor vehicle accidents in New Jersey. Virtually half of them involved distracted drivers. Over 1,600 people were killed during the same time period and distracted driving was cited as a major factor. During the years following 2013, New Jersey’s distracted driving problem is getting progressively worse, reaching epidemic proportions.

In response to the surge in distracted driving accidents, 60 police departments across 10 New Jersey counties were given $5,000 to start a new Division of Highway Traffic Safety program to tackle distracted driving — “U Drive. U Text. U Pay.” That campaign, funded and developed by the NHTSA, asked that the money be used for increased patrols and setting up more checkpoints.

New Jersey’s distracted driving laws are considered to be among the toughest in the United States. Drivers must use hands-free cellphones and are banned from using video or texting while driving. Those with learner’s permits or under 21 years of age are barred from using any wireless electronic devices, such as hand-held/wireless cellphones and tablets.

Distracted Driving Happens Even With a Hands-free Device

When people talk and/or text while driving, they take their focus off the task of driving, which puts everyone’s lives in danger: the distracted driver and the person(s) they may hit and injure, or kill. Research by the University of Iowa Public Policy Center has shown that brain scans of test subjects using a hands-free cellphone, while behind the wheel of a simulated vehicle, showed a 37 percent reduction in the parts of the brain needed to focus on driving, leading to “inattention blindness.”

inattention-blindness

Texting and increased risk for crashes

Distracted driving can be more egregious than simple negligence and may rise to the level of recklessness. Before an accident happens, the person choosing to use a cellphone while behind the wheel made a conscious decision to be reckless, to text, talk, surf or check their social media accounts. Negligent and reckless individuals must be held accountable when they injure others because they chose to use a mobile device while driving.

Text messaging demands manual, visual and cognitive focus from the driver, making it the most dangerous activity for drivers. It also increases a driver’s odds of being involved in a crash by 23 times. While a distracted driver takes their eyes off the road, on average a time of five seconds, they can travel the length of a football field.

Other forms of distracted driving

Distracted driving is not just the result of using an e-device while driving. Distractions may include:

  • Using GPS
  • Using an MP3 player
  • Adjusting the radio
  • Talking to passengers
  • Picking something up off the floor
  • Personal grooming
  • Using a computer
  • Eating
  • Drinking
  • Reading maps

If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries in an accident involving a distracted driver, contact a New Jersey distracted driver car accident attorney at the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm.

stars 5
He was relentless

until the case was fully settled and all was in our favor. Thank you so much. We highly recommend his office to anyone.

- E. and M.
stars 5
The Leonard Law Firm is truly amazing.

They go above and beyond to make sure you get what you deserve.

- Gina V.
stars 5
I highly recommend using this law firm.

My lawyer Paul Paravati was always available there for me and gave me first rate service.

- Richard B.
stars 5
Todd and his staff were courteous and caring about my personal well-being.

They were knowledgeable and settled my case in an expedited manner. I really felt they were on my side the whole way. Thank you Todd and staff for excellent treatment!

- B.H.
stars 5
Mr. Leonard’s law firm constantly kept in touch

and on top of my problems. They were quick to respond to my legal needs and were very attentive and showed real concern to my issues. I highly recommend them to anyone needing legal representation.

- Leslie W.
stars 5
Todd Leonard and his staff made me feel like family.

Trust me, he will take you into his hands and take care of all your personal injury legal matters. They are friendly, professional, and go out all the way for you. Thank you Todd Leonard and staff.

- Frank O.
stars 5
You are the most amazing person

and I am indebted to you forever!

- P.S.

A proven track record of success

$29.5Million
Product Liability & Auto Accident
$3.5Million
Drunk Driving Accident
$2.94Million
Car Accident Road Defect
$2.5Million
Workplace Construction Accident
$2.25Million
Fall Down Accident
$1.8Million
Car Accident State Vehicle
$1.8Million
Car Accident State Vehicle
$1.5Million
Fatal Apartment Fire
$1.36Million
Auto Accident
$1.2Million
Auto Accident
$1.0Million
Civil Sexual Assault Lawsuit
$1.0Million
Slip & Fall Accident
$1.0Million
Fall Down Accident
$29.5Million
Product Liability & Auto Accident
$3.5Million
Drunk Driving Accident
$2.94Million
Car Accident Road Defect
$2.5Million
Workplace Construction Accident
$2.25Million
Fall Down Accident
$1.8Million
Car Accident State Vehicle
$1.5Million
Fatal Apartment Fire
$1.36Million
Auto Accident
$1.2Million
Auto Accident
$1.0Million
Civil Sexual Assault Lawsuit
$1.0Million
Slip & Fall Accident
$1.0Million
Fall Down Accident
$29.5Million
Product Liability & Auto Accident
$3.96Million
Car Accident/Brain Injury
$3.5Million
Drunk Driving Accident
$3.1Million
Slip and Fall: Workers’ Compensation & Premises Liability Accident
$2.94Million
Car Accident Road Defect
$2.5Million
Workplace Construction Accident
$2.25Million
Fall Down Accident
$1.8Million
Car Accident State Vehicle
$1.5Million
Fatal Fire Apartment
$1.36Million
Auto Accident
$1.2Million
Auto Accident
$1.1Million
Slip & Fall Accident
  • MILLIONS

    RECOVERED

    for clients

  • DECADES

    OF PRACTICE

    30 years

  • GENERATIONS

    OF ADVOCACY

    a legacy of excellence

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