Paramus Distracted Driving Accident Lawyers

Proven trial attorneys hold negligent drivers accountable throughout NJ

Everyone who gets behind the wheel of an automobile has a duty to operate the vehicle with care. Among other things, care means screening out distractions and focusing on the road. Unfortunately, too many motorists take driving for granted and do not appreciate how a moment’s inattention puts themselves and others at risk. When drivers give in to distractions, crashes occur and people sustain severe injuries, which are too often fatal. If you or a loved one has been the victim of a distracted driving accident anywhere in New Jersey, the car crash attorneys at Razi & Giampa Law in Paramus are ready to help.

The scourge of distracted driving in New Jersey

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving accidents claimed 3,308 lives across the United States in 2022. Crash data from New Jersey for the decade of 2011 – 2020 revealed that more than half of all crashes and nearly one-third of all fatal accidents involved a distracted driver. Distracted driving didn’t just impact other vehicles; 43 percent of pedestrian-involved crashes also involved a distracted driver. Teen drivers are notorious for allowing themselves to be distracted, but young adults are little better, as data show that 30 percent of distracted drivers involved in crashes were 21 to 30 years of age.

Distracted driving can also worsen other unsafe driving behaviors. A Rowan University analysis of vehicle speed indicates that distracted drivers who speed mostly travel at more than 10 mph over the posted limit.

What constitutes distracted driving in New Jersey?

Distracted driving occurs when a sight, sound, or thought takes the driver’s attention off the road. Drivers often invite distraction by indulging in unsafe driving behaviors which include:

• Cellphone use, either talking, texting, or reading messages
• Adjusting a stereo or GPS
• Reaching for an object
• Eating and/or drinking
• Personal grooming
• Carrying on boisterous conversations with passengers
• Rubbernecking

Experts agree that texting while driving is the most dangerous distraction. That practice often takes a driver’s eyes off the road for five seconds. At 55 mph, that’s like driving blind the length of a football field.

New Jersey distracted driving laws

Using a handheld cellphone and texting while driving are illegal in New Jersey. Drivers under 21 can’t even use a hands-free cellphone while operating a vehicle. Violations can result in a fine of up to $800 and penalty points added to your license.

Proving distracted driving after a NJ car crash

Distracted driving is weighty evidence of negligence, and can be enough to prove liability in some cases. Our attorneys thoroughly investigate your accident for evidence of distraction, which can include:

• Records of cellphone calls or text messages around the time of the crash
• Witness testimony, particularly from passengers in the at-fault vehicle
• Distracted driver’s admission at the time of the crash

In the moments after a crash, a distracted driver might say something to the effect of “So sorry, I only looked away for a second….” Although you normally cannot testify to what another person said, a statement made in the heat of the moment can fall under a hearsay exception. Known as an “excited utterance” or an “admission against interest,” such statements can be admissible in court. If this happens, you should immediately make note of what the driver said, and relate that information to your attorney as soon as possible.

When you retain our services, you get skilled advocacy from experienced professionals who are determined to recover the maximum compensation possible for your injuries.

Contact Razi & Giampa Law in Paramus for a free distracted driving accident consultation

Razi & Giampa Law in Paramus provides highly professional and personalized legal services for victims of distracted driving accidents in Bergen County and throughout New Jersey. To schedule a free consultation at our office, in your home, or at the hospital, call us today at 201-534-5011 or contact our firm online.