New Jersey Distracted Driving Attorney

Fighting for the Medical Care & Financial Support You Need

Distracted drivers are the most rapidly growing threat on the highway. These are people who are sober, alert, and otherwise competent — they simply aren’t paying attention. Unfortunately, their carelessness can cost innocent people their lives.

Even at relatively “slow” speed limits, vehicles are incredibly fast. They can easily travel a great distance during one fleeting moment of distraction. With minds adrift and eyes diverted, distracted drivers can wreak havoc on others before they even realize the danger.

At The Law Offices Of James C. DeZao, P.A., we take distracted driving very seriously. Taking a car out on the roads is a heavy responsibility, and New Jersey’s traffic laws demand that drivers exercise due care.

Our office is prepared to aggressively pursue financial compensation for victims who suffer because of someone else’s negligent inattentiveness. We know New Jersey personal injury law inside and out. You can count on us to fight for every dollar you’re owed and to send a serious message about the perils of distracted driving.

We can be reached at (973) 358-6134. Contact us today!

Understanding Distracted Driving and Its Dangers

Distracted driving has been a big buzzword for traffic safety ever since the dawn of the iPhone era. It’s easy to think about driver diversion exclusively in terms of smartphones, but the truth is that distraction has been around as long as there’s been transportation.

Examples of traditional distracted driving not involving a cell phone include:

• Eating and drinking
• Adjusting a radio/selecting music
• Using air conditioning or heating controls
• Reading a book or magazine
• Studying a map
• Using a GPS console or navigation system
• Talking to passengers
• Inappropriate behavior with other passengers
• Looking at billboards or other highway sights
• Applying makeup
• Styling hair
• Checking one’s appearance in the mirror
• Students completing last-minute homework on the way to school
• Cleaning the car’s interior
• Reaching for an item in another seat
• Paying too much attention to children in the backseat

Of course, smartphones have invited new opportunities for distraction. These include:

• Texting
• Dialing phone numbers
• Talking on the phone
• Reading or sending email
• Surfing the web
• Looking for directions
• Playing music or browsing/creating playlists
• Using Facebook, Twitter, or other social media apps
• Checking weather
• Monitoring traffic or searching gas prices
• Taking pictures (or browsing a digital photo library)
• Recording video
• Watching YouTube or other videos
• Playing games or using other apps
• Adjusting a phone’s settings
• Reading eBooks
• Conducting business

All of these behaviors are inexcusable and may constitute negligence under New Jersey personal injury law. An attorney can help you understand drivers’ legal duties and whether you might have a case.

New Jersey's Laws Against Distracted Driving

In the state of New Jersey, it is illegal to text and drive or talk on the phone while driving. This is true in most states. New Jersey drivers are permitted to use hands-free capabilities to use their cell phones; however, this must be done safely. In cases of emergency, calls can lawfully be made without using a hands-free method.

Although cell phone use is explicitly prohibited under New Jersey law, other forms of distractions are not labeled as illegal in the same way. While something like eating while driving may not be illegal, these behaviors still cause harm and could be classified as reckless driving in a legal claim.

Seek Legal Assistance for Distracted Driving Incidents in New Jersey

At The Law Offices Of James C. DeZao, P.A., our mission is maximizing financial recovery for people who’ve been unfairly injured by distracted drivers. We understand New Jersey personal injury law, and we are prepared to hold drivers and their employers and/or insurance companies responsible for your damages.

For a free consultation and to discuss your case, contact us online or call us today at (973) 358-6134.