Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer in Queens, NY

Distracted driving is a leading cause of car accidents in Queens and throughout New York City. In addition to the physical injuries it causes, getting hit by a person who was texting or focusing on a conversation with their passengers can be extremely frustrating. You know they caused the accident, so why should you have to pay for your medical bills?

If a distracted driver injured you, The Tadchiev Law Firm, P.C., is here to protect your legal rights and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact our Floral Park personal injury firm to arrange a free, no-risk consultation with a distracted driving accident lawyer serving Queens.

Why You Should Hire Our Lawyers If You Were Hurt by a Distracted Driver

Distracted driving car accidents have the potential to cause severe harm and devastating financial losses. If you’re facing the fallout from an accident someone else’s carelessness caused, you shouldn’t have to spend your time pursuing an injury claim. You should be focused on your medical treatment and recovery instead.

Let the team at The Tadchiev Law Firm, P.C., step in to manage the details for you. We take a highly personalized approach to every case and maintain a smaller caseload to provide our clients the attention and care they deserve. Our firm will bring substantial experience and a successful track record to your case and will be prepared to advocate for you at every stage.

When you trust us with your distracted driving car accident case, you can rest easy knowing your case is in good hands without having to assume any financial risk. The initial consultation is always free and fully confidential, and we don’t collect a fee unless we win.

Common Types of Distracted Driving in Queens

Car accidents due to distracted driving can happen for many reasons, and although mobile devices may be the largest single source of distraction, these actions don’t always involve the misuse of cell phones. Any activity that takes a driver’s eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, or mind off driving can raise the risk of a serious crash.

Car accidents caused by distracted driving usually stem from the following:

• Texting or Using a Smartphone – Reading or sending a text can pull a driver’s attention away for several seconds at a time. A driver may also become distracted while checking social media, using apps, browsing the internet, or looking at notifications instead of watching traffic.
• Talking on the Phone – Even when a driver isn’t typing, a phone conversation can still interfere with safe driving. Some drivers become so focused on the call that they fail to notice traffic signals, sudden stops, pedestrians, or vehicles changing lanes nearby.
• Using GPS or Navigation Systems – Looking down to enter an address or follow directions on a screen can take a driver’s attention away from the road. In a busy area like Queens, even a brief glance away can lead to a rear-end collision or intersection crash.
• Eating or Drinking Behind the Wheel – Drivers who try to open containers, hold food, or clean up spills may lose control of the vehicle. These distractions can slow their reaction time and make it harder to respond to traffic conditions.
• Talking to Passengers or Reaching for Objects Inside the Car – Turning around to speak to someone in the back seat or reaching for a bag, phone, or other item can be enough to cause a collision. A driver who isn’t fully focused may miss hazards that require quick action.

Can You File a Distracted Driving Accident Claim in New York?

New York follows a no-fault insurance system, which means you typically must first turn to your own personal injury protection (PIP) or no-fault coverage to address basic economic losses such as medical expenses and lost earnings, regardless of who caused the crash. In exchange, the law bars claims against the at-fault driver for basic economic and non-economic losses in routine cases.

However, you can step outside the no-fault system and bring a liability claim against the distracted driver if you suffered a serious injury as defined by New York law or if your losses exceed the basic economic loss threshold of $50,000.

The statute defines serious injury to include conditions such as a fracture, significant disfigurement, permanent loss or limitation of use, significant limitation of use, or a medically determined injury that prevents you from participating in your usual activities for at least 90 of the 180 days after the crash. 

Damages You Can Recover from a Distracted Driving Accident Case

If your injuries allow you to step outside New York’s no-fault system, you may pursue compensation from the distracted driver for the losses the crash caused. The damages (compensation) available will depend on the facts of your case, the severity of your injuries, and how the accident has affected your daily life, but may include the following:

• Medical Expenses – These can include hospital bills, follow-up care, rehabilitation, medication, and other necessary treatment.
• Lost Income – You may recover wages lost while you were unable to work, as well as anticipated future losses.
• Pain and Suffering – Your compensation may cover physical pain, emotional distress, and the overall impact of the injury on your life.

Time Limit to File a Distracted Driving Accident Claim in New York

The deadline to file most negligence-based car accident lawsuits in New York is three years from the date of the crash. If you don’t file within that time, you’ll most likely lose the right to seek compensation in court.

That said, some cases involve different deadlines due to the specific facts of the case, so it’s important to speak with a car accident lawyer as soon as possible after a distracted driving accident. Acting quickly can also help preserve evidence and protect your ability to pursue recovery.

Call Our Queens Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer

If you got hurt by a distracted driver, you deserve the opportunity to move forward with your recovery and your life without having to assume a significant financial burden. Contact a Queens distracted driving accident lawyer at The Tadchiev Law Firm, P.C., today to review your legal rights and options. Your case review is free, without risk, and fully confidential.