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Lehmbecker Law Firm

Bellevue Personal Injury Lawyers

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Distracted Driving Awareness Month: Top 5 Ways People Get Distracted Behind the Wheel

drivers texting on the roadThe National Safety Council has designated the month of April as Distracted Driving Awareness Month. In a typical year, more than 3,000 people are killed in the U.S. and more than 430,000 are injured in vehicle accidents involving distracted drivers. Distracted driving is literally a matter of life-or-death importance.

Don’t become a statistic! These are the top ways that drivers get dangerously distracted—and what you can do to avoid them.

1. Texting while driving

Texting is the worst thing you can do while you are driving. It’s a triple threat. If you text while driving, you are using your hands (which should be on the wheel), you are looking down at your phone’s screen (when you should be looking ahead at the road), and you are mentally engaged in writing the text (when your thoughts should be focused on the road and what other drivers are doing).

How do you avoid the danger of texting while driving? Just don’t do it! Ever! There is no safe way to text and drive. It’s a sure-fire way to get yourself into an accident over time.

2. Other uses of a cell phone while driving

Some people think that as long as they are using their phones hands-free, then they can safely operate their vehicle. Unfortunately, that’s not quite the case. The average person’s brain will remain distracted for 27 seconds after using voice commands to select music, dial a number, or write a text.

How to stay safe: Get used to putting your phone away while you are driving! Wait until you get to your destination or you have pulled over and stopped.

3. Rubbernecking

When drivers get caught up in looking at an event happening outside the car, they can forget to look at what is going on right in front of them.

To stay safe: Always pay attention to the road in front of you! Though you might want to take a look at the accident to the side of the road, you don’t want to become one as well, so keep focused.

4. Talking to other people in the car

Drivers can become dangerously distracted by other people in the car. Examples of such distractions include drivers getting so engaged in the conversation that focus on the road is lost and turning around to look at people beside them or in the back seat. These distractions (and all of those discussed in this article) can be compounded if road conditions are bad or if the driver is inexperienced.

Safety tip: Always remember that your top priority when you are driving is to drive safely. If talking to the people in the car is making you lose your focus on the road and interfering with your ability to be a safe driver, hold off on the conversation until later. Regardless of whether you are talking, never turn around to look at another person while you are driving.

5. Daydreaming

Sometimes drivers can distract themselves without any help from electronic devices, other people, or outside events.

To be safe: If you find yourself daydreaming and not paying enough attention to the road, make a conscious effort to refocus your attention on what you see in front of you and in your mirrors. If you are sleepy, pull over someplace safe, get out of the car, and walk around. Get some coffee or, if possible, some rest.

If you have been injured in a car accident caused by a distracted driver, don’t just accept an insurance company’s settlement offer without finding out more about your rights. You should talk to an experienced personal injury attorney, who will be on your side, before you make any statements to the other driver’s insurance company or rush into a settlement.

Here at Lehmbecker Law, we would be glad to talk to you and give you a free case evaluation. Please contact us for a no-obligation consultation.

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Settlements:

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Obtained for our client after being hit by driver making an illegal U-turn.

$5.7 Million

obtained for our client after being hit by a car while taking a walk in Bellevue, WA.

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for our client who suffered permanent cardiovascular impairment after his surgeon performed an unnecessary procedure during a heart surgery.

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for a young woman who suffered multiple orthopedic injuries after being struck in a crosswalk by a taxicab.

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for an elderly woman who suffered a shoulder injury after being struck in a crosswalk by a delivery van.

More Testimonials

Client Reviews:

“Please allow me to take this moment of your time to say thank you to all the members in your firm who worked on my case. I was so proud of the way my attorney handled herself and stood by myside during the court proceedings. It has been an honor and a privilege for me having all your legal help and advice for the past two years. It’s hard to say goodbye. Again, thank you.”

Kim Kent, WA

“Thanks again for all your help! You made a difficult situation much easier on us. We really appreciate everything you’ve done.”

Alana

“Lehmbecker Law has been outstanding in helping me deal with my Workers’ Comp claim. Before I hired them, it was very stressful trying to deal with the insurance companies and the medical bills. As soon as Lehmbecker Law took my case, my stress levels dropped and I was able to concentrate on getting better. I would highly recommend them to anyone who needs help with their workers’ comp claim.”

N.H. Woodinville, WA

“After a full year of fighting, Lehmbecker Law got me a full year of back wage loss. I couldn’t be happier or more relieved. This will make such a difference in my life. Now we are working on my vocational plan. Lehmbecker Law has been there for me and I will recommend them to anyone who needs help fighting L&I.”

A. Mayberry Woodinville, WA

“After my mother and I were involved in a car accident at the Westfield Shopping Mall at Southcenter I was in a lot of pain. Having your law firm oversee my medical treatment and make sure my bills got paid took away a lot of my stress. And, the settlement I received was even more than I expected. I recommend that anyone involved in a car accident call you and get representation. I truly believe I received a bigger settlement with you fighting for me than I would have gotten on my own.”

M. Bonifacio Federal Way, WA

“I am very happy with the results I received from settling two different cases I had with Mr. Lehmbecker and his law firm.

Mr. Lehmbecker is a very caring and knowledgeable attorney and I felt confident throughout both my cases that he would give me excellent results. I highly recommend Mr. Lehmbecker to anyone who has a personal injury, worker’s compensation or medical malpractice case.”

Y. Knotts Redmond, WA

“I am a lawyer in this community and have had the pleasure of working side by side with two lawyers from this firm, as well as some of the staff members. I am always glad to see other lawyers in the community doing a good job in representing their clients, and the lawyers with Larry Lehmbecker’s office will do that.”

“I have known Larry Lehmbecker for 15 years. I have conferred with Larry over the years regarding personal injury and workers’ compensation issues because I respect his knowledge and experience. I have always found his problem solving and case strategy skills to be thoughtful, practical, and helpful. I consider Larry to be one of top attorneys in his field.”

Attorney Christine Foster

“I had never been in a motor vehicle accident before, and I didn’t know who to turn to for help. After doing research on law firms in the area, I learned about Lehmbecker Law. My case was not an easy one, and there was a lot of emotion along the way. The team at Lehmbecker Law was terrific at navigating the difficulties of my case, from beginning to end. Throughout the process they were responsive, professional, and put my mind at ease during a difficult time. I strongly recommend that anybody who has been in a serious accident reach out to Lehmbecker Law.”

Katrina Issaquah

“Recently, I needed legal services to help me with my injury claim resulting from a drunk driver. The team at Lehmbecker Law was very helpful in the resolution of my claim. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t have known how to address the many issues in my case. I would strongly recommend Lehmbecker Law for people who are injured and need help.”

Mozeyl Seattle

“This is an outstanding firm. I have used them twice now, and I would recommend them strongly to anybody who needs legal advice. I had a great experience with both of my cases. They are a very caring firm that truly has their clients’ best interests at heart.”

Darcelle Snohomish

“This law firm is Great. They kept me informed on all that was going on, they cared, were compassionate, kept on top of it like you were their only client. They are not afraid to take on the big companies to help out the little guy. Always straight shooters with me never had to ask twice and when I did have a question if the person I talked to didn’t know the answer they would find out what it was and always called you back. I never had a problem getting to talk to someone in the office, they never put me off with I will have them call you back unless they were not in the office, they always called back in a timely manner and with the questions I wanted answered. Great people to work with.I would recommend this law firm without hesitation to anyone that needed a great lawyer. I have had other lawyers in the past for different reasons and most of the time it was hard to get to speak to someone in the office not here. If you want a great law team on your side choose Larry Lehmbecker.”

Brenda

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400 108th Ave NE, Ste. 500 Bellevue, WA 98004

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1066 S. 320th St.
Building K, Suite F
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Lehmbecker Law

Bellevue Car Accident Lawyer

400 - 108th Ave. NE, Suite 500 Bellevue, WA 98004

(425) 455-3186 (888) 889-6895