Distracted Driving

Death and serious injury caused by distracted driving is rising in throughout the country, and Alaska is no exception. The statistics for the past year show a national increase in deaths caused by distracted driving, as well as a serious rise in catastrophic injuries. These injuries will require many years of therapy, usually at a cost of millions of dollars over a lifetime. If you have been injured in a car accident as a result of distracted driving, contact Johnson & Associates, PC to discuss your injuries and to receive a fair assessment of the case. The biggest culprit in the rise of distracted driver accidents is cell phone use. Texting has become the number one cause of accidents in this category, but making and accepting calls is still high on the list.

There are three main classes of distracted driving accidents, which include:

• Eyes Off the Road: A driver who is looking at something outside of the car, texting, reaching for a moving object in the car adjusting devices in the car, reading, eating, or watching a video.
• Mind Off Driving: These are cognitive issues such as those caused by driver fatigue, driving while angry, driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, dealing with quarreling children.
• Hands Off the Steering Wheel: Applying makeup, steering with knees while reading, reaching into the back seat to retrieve something.

According to Title 28, § 28.35.161 the state of Alaska, texting and driving is seen as a crime. An individual commits this crime when they are "driving while texting, while communicating on a computer, or while a screen device is operating if the person is driving a motor vehicle."

Penalties for texting while driving in Alaska may include the following:

• Class A Misdemeanor
• Up to a $10,000 fine
• Up to a year in prison

If your loved one has been injured or killed as a result of a texting and driving incident, contact our attorneys today for a free consultation to discuss your specific situation.

No matter the scope of your injuries, you have a right to compensation. Serious injuries can take years to fully resolve and in some tragic cases, the event results in a permanent disability. Money is not a substitute for good health but a substantial settlement to offset the expenses, pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life incurred can alleviate the financial strain. For this reason, you need an experienced Alaska car accident attorney on your side who can help you fight for maximum financial compensation.

Contact us today so that we can help you through this difficult time.