What Can Happen to People Who Survive Distracted Driving Accidents?

Posted On February 13, 2017 In Local Car Accidents

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) statistics show in 2014, 3,179 people were killed in accidents involving distracted drivers. However, another 431,000 were injured that same year. It is important to remember that people who survive these accidents suffer catastrophic and life-altering injuries. The story of Liz Marks is a great example of how people who suffer injuries from distracted driving accidents can have their lives put on hold.

In April of 2012, Liz Marks’ life changed forever when her vehicle slammed into a flatbed truck that was in the process of making a left turn. Moments before crashing, the 17-year-old had answered a text message from her mother. Liz was airlifted to a hospital in critical condition. In the three months that followed, she relearned how to walk, talk, read and write. Doctors performed multiple reconstructive surgeries to repair damage to her skull. Liz lost the ability to fall asleep without medication, she is blind her right eye, and no longer has a sense of smell. She developed a new personality and lost all of her friends. College was no longer an option.

Since her accident and rehabilitation, Liz has appeared in national headlines, on talk shows and in warning videos released by NHTSA. She has dedicated her life to spreading public awareness on the dangers of distracted driving.

Many other survivor stories involve people hit by distracted drivers. In 2008, Jacy Good was driving home with her parents after graduating college. Jacy had landed a dream job with Habitat for Humanity, and was in the process of planning a wedding with her long-time boyfriend. On her way home, a teenager who was texting behind the wheel turned left through a red light, causing a semi-truck to swerve and hit her vehicle. Jacy’s parents died from the impact, but she survived with a severe traumatic brain injury. Even after months of therapy, she admits life will never be the same. Jacy is paralyzed from her brain injury, and cognitive tasks are significantly more difficult. She did marry her boyfriend and became a safe driving advocate.

Do People Who Suffered Injuries from Distracted Driving Accidents Have Legal Options?

It is important to understand people injured in these accidents can suffer severe brain injuries, paralysis from spinal cord injuries, and disfigurement from broken bones or burns. These injuries can make returning to an occupation, or starting a career, close to impossible. For younger people involved in these accidents, distracted driving may rob them of their futures.

It is crucial for these individuals and their families to seek legal help. An attorney is much better suited to handle your needs going forward, including dealing with insurance companies and holding the responsible driver accountable.

The Texas car accident attorneys at Mike Love & Associates, LLC are dedicated to helping people who have been injured by negligent drivers.