Most people don’t realize that using your phone is not the only way drivers can be distracted and cause an accident. This is why we have compiled a list of some of the most common distracted driving practices and how you can avoid becoming a distracted driver and cause an accident by neglecting the road.

Avoid Electronics

Put away your electronics, this includes your cell phone and other devices. Reduce temptation by turning off your ringer and putting your phone out of sight. Also, you could utilize the “do not disturb” setting to stop any notifications for incoming calls and texts. Only use your phone for emergency situations, such as calling the police, fire department, or an ambulance.

Adjust Before Driving

Multitasking while driving is an easy recipe for distracted driving. Before you even get on the road, adjust your seat position, mirrors, sound system, and air conditioning. If you are using a navigation system, set up the directions into the GPS before you begin to drive.

Eat Smart

Avoid eating while driving as it can cause you to take your hands off the wheel and even completely distract you should a spill occur. However, if you absolutely need to eat on the road, make sure to eat food items that can easily be held with one hand, such as a granola bar. 

Buckle Up

It’s paramount to ensure that you and your passengers are buckled up before you begin driving. You do not want to have to worry about your passengers being buckled up during your drive, so make sure, especially if you have any children on board, that they are buckled up into their car seat. That way, you are not worrying about reaching awkwardly into the backseat to buckle up a child and risk losing control of your vehicle. 

If at any point you or a loved one has been injured in a distracted driving car accident, Utah Attorneys is here to help guide you through the thick of it. We have over three decades of legal experience, and our Utah car accident attorneys will work hard to ensure maximum compensation so you can focus on recovering. Call our expert attorneys today to get a free consultation.

Had Habits that Develop Over Time

 1. Ignoring blind spots

 Checking your mirrors and adjusting them to avoid any blindspots is one of the first things you learn when driving. It only takes a few seconds to adapt and only a fraction of one to do a head-check. Maybe not having an instructor double-check these every time could have led people to fall out of this habit. 

Some new cars include technology that monitors blind spots and makes either noise or has a flashing light to warn the driver, but don’t rely on these. Keep the habit of making sure you can see as much of your surroundings as possible; you can never be 100% sure if there’s another car in your blindspots if you don’t look. 

 2. Poor steering wheel control

According to a study, after just a few weeks of passing their driving tests, many drivers stop putting the hands on the correct “10 and 2 o’clock” or new “9 and 3 o’clock” positions. Most of them start driving with one hand on the wheel. New studies show how having both hands on the “9 and 3 o’clock” position can yield even better control over the movement of your car. Set down your morning coffee and pay attention to the road and your car. The last thing you want is to cause an accident, so be aware and prepared at all times.

 3. Lack of indicating

 Failing to indicate a turn or lane change can land you a ticket and create an unsafe environment for other motorists or pedestrians as they won’t expect you to turn or change lanes. Other vehicle drivers and pedestrians should be able to see what you’re planning on doing; that way, they can be prepared, and there would be a lower chance of an accident. 

 4. Keeping your distance

 If the car in front of you would come to a sudden stop, it’d be best to have some distance from them, so you have less of a risk of going into the back of them. It’s essential to keep your distance even at a standstill as a car could rollback (especially on hills). On main roads, try to stay one or two cars’ length (~40 meters) away. A good rule of thumb while at a standstill is to make sure you can always see the car’s rear tires in front of you.

 5. Driving on low fuel

Not only is this harmful to your engine, but some people even believe the lower the fuel, the less weight and, therefore, go further. But they run the risk of running entirely out of fuel which, would be a terrible hazard in the middle of an interstate. Not to mention how awful it is on your engine to run your car out of fuel. 

Avoid this habit by pre-emptively filling up your car’s fuel as soon as it drops below a quarter tank.

 6. Not wearing a seatbelt

 Not wearing a seatbelt is by far the worst bad habit that new drivers pick up the quickest. In fact, according to a study, this happens after just two weeks of passing their test. It’s imperative to wear your seatbelt at all times, as it can be quite fatal to sustain a high-speed impact without a seatbelt. Make it a habit to put on your seatbelt the second you get into the car.

However, while these can be enjoyable, they can also be extremely dangerous if you are not careful while you are behind the wheel. Since most car accidents occur during summer months, you must do everything possible to protect yourself and the friends/family that may be tagging along. If you need some tips, here’s some to help you stay safe while on the road this summer.

Beware of your Surroundings

While you’re driving on the road, make sure you know what and who is on the road around you. There are many parties taking place during this time of year, especially around downtown Salt Lake City, meaning you should assume that pedestrians may be impaired by drugs or alcohol. Be more mindful of pedestrians and other vehicles around you. Adjust your rear- and side-view mirrors to help you keep a better eye on your surroundings and minimize blind spots. Should you find yourself involved in an accident with an impaired driver, do not hesitate to contact our expert Salt Lake City car accident lawyers at the Ault Firm.

Your Car’s Mechanical Maintenance

Before you go venturing off down the road, always make sure your car is in perfect mechanical condition. Make sure to check your breaks, turn signals, windshield wipers, tire pressure and treads, and all fluids replaced. Should you be involved in an accident, the opposing driver’s attorney may try to claim your vehicle was in poor condition when the car accident took place, and in turn, placing blame on you for the crash. If this is the case, know that you can turn to the expert legal guidance of one of our Salt Lake City car accident lawyers at the Ault Firm.

How to prepare for winter driving

Not being prepared could lead to serious circumstances. Therefore Utah residents are encouraged to begin preparations for dangerous road conditions by providing the necessary maintenance to their vehicles and equipping them with essentials like first aid kits if they are ever involved in a crash. Winter car accidents can happen anywhere and anytime.

Before hitting the road this winter season, it is important to do everything possible to minimize the risk of being part of an accident in a Utah winter. To avoid a winter accident, we recommend that you:

Check exterior lights to make sure people can see when you’re planning to turn.

Check your tires and change them if necessary, to make sure you have as much traction as possible.

Check your oil and filter.

Add new antifreeze to your cooling system.

Check and change the battery if needed.

Make sure all electrical systems are working like your heater and wipers. (These are essential!)

Need a Car Accident Attorney?

Even though you are prepared for winter roads this season, all the world’s safety precautions may not prevent all accidents. However, they reduce your risk of being a victim to one. Car accidents claim too many lives year by year, and insurance companies love to convince for the quick settlement so they can look the other way. The higher amount of winter vehicle accidents has imposed a heavy burden on people who have been victims of injuries through no fault of their own. It is imperative to hire an experienced attorney in automobile accidents so that you can ensure that your insurance company will pay the compensation you deserve for the losses you have endured.

If you have been one of these victims that have been treated unfairly by your insurance company, contact us today and schedule a free consultation so you can make sure that you are properly represented to obtain the compensation you deserve.

When drivers are sidetracked, automobile mishaps occur frequently. They left hundreds of Salt Lake citizens with serious injuries, problems, and damage to their property. Texting and driving is a growing problem, one that seems to get worse every year. Roughly 80 percent of automobile accidents happen because the driver was distracted due to texting. According to the National Safety Council, 800,000 distracted vehicle drivers use their phones on the United States road on any given day.

More information about distracted driving

In Utah, almost every teenager reported that they knew texting while driving is hazardous, but 51% of them do it anyhow. 66% of these teenage drivers confess to talking on their phones while driving, and 38% admit that they don’t take a look at the road while texting and driving.

Repercussions from distracted driving can be life-altering for individuals involved—a lot of texting while driving crashes are not minor cases. We see considerable damage to drivers, pedestrians, passengers, and even cyclists using the road during the spring and summer months.

Some of the concerns that our Utah Distracted Driving Lawyers are frequently asked include:

Can you confirm someone was texting as well as driving?

What proof do you require?

What should I do if I have been struck by someone who is driving and texting at the same time?

Just how much compensation am I entitled to?

What are my following actions?

At The Ault Firm, we have effectively assisted hundreds of clients looking for payments for their Salt Lake City distracted driving accidents. In this post, we help you recognize the response to your concerns and discover more about what you can do following the accident to learn if you have an accident insurance claim.

Can you show a person was driving and texting?

Yes, there are ways that you can show texting while driving triggered a mishap. The very best way to do this is to contact a lawyer who has access to the information you require to obtain a settlement for your texting while driving accident.

At least five methods go to confirm that someone was texting while driving in Utah.

5 Ways to Verify Someone is Driving and also texting

At The Ault Firm, we have assisted numerous texting while driving targets obtain the injury compensation they are worthy of for their instances. The main methods we utilize to confirm somebody was texting while driving is:

1. Cellular Phone Records

You can request to have cell phone records utilized in your situation to show that an additional chauffeur was texting while driving, especially when the crash took place. To summon the cell phone records of a possibly negligent driver, you will require the assistance of a seasoned sidetracked driver attorney in Utah. For cell phone documents, car accident attorneys can get what you need to not serve as a routine citizen. Experienced texting while driving attorneys will understand exactly how to obtain phone documents quickly.

1. Witnesses

Witnesses can include onlookers that saw the crash occur, other chauffeurs, or pedestrians. Witnesses ought to provide their declaration to the authorities officers at the accident scene as promptly as possible. Sometimes, your witnesses may need to be summoned to give a testament concerning texting while driving behaviors they saw.

1. Policeman’s Statement

If you are trying to verify distracted driving while submitting a claim, having a cops record where an officer’s testimony especially mentions that the various other chauffeur is at fault and was irresponsible can be extremely valuable. Cops reports need to be finished right away after the accident and include details concerning the accident’s conditions to show neglect. You might even be able to have that law enforcement agencies testify on your part.

1. Safety And Security Feed/Video Video Footage

Relying on the place of the vehicle crash, you might extremely well have video clip footage from a police dashcam, a cell phone, or a security monitoring camera at a crossway. Other motorists might have recorded it by accident. All of these video clips can be acquired by your distracted vehicle driver lawyer in Utah and offered as evidence to show carelessness. Our attorneys can ask for footage from the owners of whichever electronic cameras are necessary to see if it has the needed proof.

1. Accident Reconstruction

Mishap restoration can be finished by a crash repair expert to understand what occurred at the time of influence. They can show the only description was a chauffeur not taking notice of the road with appropriate restoration. This may not serve in every case and can just be carried out by an expert, which is why it is crucial to review your particular instance with a certified sidetracked driving attorney.

What should you do if you have been harmed in an accident by a texting driver?

1. Call 911 Promptly

You must call 911 promptly. Get an officer on the scene to record evidence as well as take statements as soon as feasible. Every one of these can assist you with your instance in the long run.

1. Seek Medical Interest

Seek healthcare instantly after the accident too. If you do not feel like you were injured, you must go to a medical professional or an emergency treatment facility to obtain an assessment. The injury symptoms might not materialize right away if you were harmed with a typical car and truck crash injury like whiplash.

If you decide that a little pain or pain doesn’t require a journey to the physician and that little pain or pain obtains even worse with time, you may not be entitled to full settlement. You have to obtain the issue, look at it by a medical professional, and be treated instantly. Even if you do not feel much pain, just a little ache or rigidity, it is in your best interest to undergo a clinical test from the very start.

1. File What Occurred

At the time of the crash, it is necessary to document what happened. Don’t count only on police documentation. Take as several photos as possible. While you definitely shouldn’t use your phone while driving, you can utilize your phone to document as high as possible on the occasion of a crash.

This can consist of:

Snapshots of cops reports with their authorization

Photos of the damage to the vehicles

Photos of the bordering locations consisting of the close-by buildings which may or might not have electronic safety cameras

Images of the drivers and also their insurance coverage information

Papers as well as pictures of any injuries

Even if those injuries are tiny, having photos at the precise time of influence can aid. Images will certainly assist in creating evidence for your case and offer data to your attending physician. Many medical professionals value having photos of injuries since the manifestation of specific signs and symptoms might no longer exist when you finally make it to the physician. Having pictures can assist the physician in supplying a much more exact medical diagnosis.

1. Speak With A Sidetracked Driving Attorney Near You

If you are hurt in a crash entailing a vehicle driver who is texting, it is important that you promptly call an attorney. You desire an attorney to assist you from the very start. It makes the process go a lot faster and simpler for you if you do not need to try and backtrack.

Why should you speak with an attorney about your car crash?

You must chat with a skilled attorney regarding your vehicle accident because every case is different.

1. Figure out if You Are Entitled to Payment

Even if you were injured does not indicate you will receive compensation. You need to show that there was carelessness. Oversight is something a seasoned attorney can show much a lot more efficiently and also efficiently than you would have the ability to do on your very own.

1. Your Utah Distracted Driving Accident Situation Is Time Sensitive

You ought to speak to a lawyer to make sure you struck every deadline possible. The legal system has a statute of restrictions for automobile crash cases, and you don’t want to miss your due date and, by expansion, miss your possibility to obtain the compensation you should have.

1. Navigate the Legislation

Distracted driving attorneys in Utah are well acquainted with the steps entailed sending a claim to the insurer involved, as well as, if required, file a legal action. An insurer is most likely to fight hammer and tongs to downgrade the settlement to which you are qualified, but if you have a lawyer fighting for your lawful rights, you can get everything that you need, and you can get it quickly.

1. Quick Negotiation

Most vehicle mishap cases work out before they go to court, and with the aid of a qualified lawyer, maybe your own can settle also.

1. Comfort

Most significantly, you need to speak to an attorney to ensure that you don’t have to bother, including legal stress to your plate while currently taking care of auto accident injuries, problems to your automobile, medical expenses, and potentially the loss of a loved one. Allow us to manage that for you.

Finding the most effective Texting While Driving Lawyer in Salt Lake City

If you need to locate the most effective texting while driving attorney in Salt Lake City and also the bordering locations, there are a couple of things you want to try to find.

Try to find a sidetracked driving lawyer who has worked with instances similar to your own. While every instance is unique, there are lots of sidetracked drivers, and you want a lawyer working specifically with instances where the other driver was texting. The even more experience the attorney has with instances comparable to your own, the better certified they will undoubtedly handle your situation.

Look for a distracted driving attorney with a history of pleased clients going to vouch for the business. You need to have the ability to take a look at case history upon request to confirm the qualifications of the company.

Our seasoned Distracted Driving Attorneys have helped individuals receive compensation for their injury claims for over 60 years at The Ault Firm. Our lawyers have the skill and experience to make sure you receive the optimum payment for your texting while driving an auto accident.

Give us a call today for a free case evaluation. We will designate you to one of our attorneys that is the very best suitable for your instance based upon their previous experience, and we will certainly talk with you one on one to assist you to discover:

What you are qualified for

Just how long the process will take

What to expect

And address any questions you may have

Do not wait; time is not on your side, and you require the very best texting while driving lawyers in Utah for the job. Call The Ault Firm today.

Distracted driving auto crashes take area regularly. Most texting while driving mishaps are not minor occurrences. You can seek to have cell phone records used in your instance to verify that one more vehicle driver was texting while driving, specifically when the mishap happened. Police reports have to be finished immediately after the mishap and include information on the crash scenarios to verify neglect. Accident restoration can be completed by a crash reconstruction professional to recognize what took area at the time of effect specifically.