Monaca Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer

Distracted Driving Accident Attorney in Monaca, PA

Driving is something most of us do every day, usually without even thinking about it. Because driving is such a routine activity, it can be easy to forget how dangerous the road can be. People who have been injured by a distracted driver know this harsh truth all too well. If you are in the Monaca area and have suffered injuries because of an accident involving a distracted driver, a Monaca distracted driving accident lawyer can pursue the compensation you need.

About Bowers Fawcett & Hurst, LLC

At Bowers Fawcett & Hurst, LLC, we have been representing personal injury victims in Pennsylvania for over four decades. We approach each case with a teamwork mentality, offering our clients empathetic support and confident legal counsel. Our clients come to us during some of the worst times in their lives, and we are passionate about helping people navigate these situations with compassion and relentless advocacy. 

Distracted Driving in Monaca and Pennsylvania 

Monaca is, comparatively, a small town, with a population of around 5,500 people at the last census. Despite Monaca’s quiet suburban charm, it is not immune to big-city problems, like distracted driving. Wherever there are cell phones, there are distracted drivers. 

Distracted driving is a major problem in Pennsylvania and the United States as a whole. Between 2020 and 2024, Pennsylvania police reported a total of 10,291 distracted driving offenses. The most common offender age range was 20 to 29, and the highest frequency of offenses took place between the hours of 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. In the United States, distracted driving was a contributing factor in 3,275 traffic fatalities in 2023. 

What to Do If You Are Hit by a Distracted Driver in Monaca

If you are involved in an accident with a distracted driver, you can take certain measures to protect yourself and make the process of recovery easier. The first action to take after any accident is to call the Monaca Police Department or 911 and seek medical care. Your health comes first. If you can do so, you should also attempt to get the other driver’s insurance information, along with the contact information from anyone who witnessed the accident and might provide a statement. 

The next critical step is to hire a distracted driving accident lawyer. If the other driver has car insurance, as they are legally required to do, you may receive a compensation offer from their insurance company. However, insurance companies generally do not like to pay what they should, so they may deny or underpay your claim. This is where a seasoned Monaca distracted driving accident attorney can help you. Never sign a release without having an attorney review it first.

Sometimes, encouraging insurance companies to do the right thing simply entails sending a strongly worded letter on a lawyer’s letterhead. In other cases, insurance companies still deny or underpay claims. If that happens, your lawyer can file a claim against the insurance company or the other driver personally. Should the case go all the way to trial, your lawyer can speak and present evidence on your behalf. 

What Compensation Can Distracted Driving Accident Victims Recover?  

Distracted driving accident victims can be compensated for any damages they incur from these incidents. A settlement should cover any medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering the victim experiences. The following describes what is usually included in these compensation categories: 

• Medical bills. A settlement for a distracted driving victim should compensate the victim for all medical care associated with the incident. This includes immediate medical care, such as an ambulance ride or emergency surgery, as well as any ongoing medical expenses, like physical therapy, medication, or adaptive equipment. 
• Lost wages. Most people cannot afford to miss work. Being injured by a distracted driver may result in a long absence from work. Depending on the extent of the injuries, some victims may even permanently lose their ability to do their jobs. This results in significant stress and financial uncertainty for their families. Compensation should take care of lost wages, both current and anticipated. 
• Pain and suffering. Although it may seem strange to assign a dollar amount to pain and suffering, this is a standard aspect of personal injury compensation. Pain and suffering compensation accounts for the injury-related pain as well as all the emotional trauma resulting from the accident.

FAQs

What Constitutes Distracted Driving in Pennsylvania?

Although the definition of distracted driving is necessarily broad, as there are many ways a person can be distracted while driving, Pennsylvania distracted driving accident laws specifically define three actions that constitute distracted driving. They are:

1. Using or wearing headphones while driving
2. Texting while driving, which includes reading, writing, and sending texts
3. Using any handheld device while behind the wheel

How Long Does a Distracted Driving Case Take to Settle in Pennsylvania?

How long a distracted driving accident case takes to settle in Pennsylvania will vary. Each case is different, and the length of time it takes to reach a final resolution depends on the complexity of the case, the severity of the injuries, and the willingness of the liable party to settle. 

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim Against a Distracted Driver in Monaca?

According to the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Section 5524, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of the incident. This does not mean that the case must be settled within two years of the incident, only that the initial legal action must be taken during that timeframe. 

Is My Case Likely to Go to Trial? 

No, your case is not likely to go to trial. Most personal injury cases are settled out of court. This is because it is expensive and time-consuming for all parties to go through the process of courtroom litigation. It is almost always better for the liable party’s insurance company to simply settle with the victim instead. 

Hire a Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer – Contact Bowers Fawcett & Hurst, LLC, Today

If you have been injured because of the actions of a distracted driver in Monaca, your life has become far more difficult than it ever should be. Between mounting medical bills, the potential inability to work, and the trauma of going through an experience like this, you may be overwhelmed and stressed. You don’t have to deal with this alone. Contact Bowers Fawcett & Hurst, LLC, today to begin rebuilding your life.