ArticlesWhen most people drive past an eye-catching scene, they may find curiosity gets the better of them. This act of rubbernecking driving causes many car accidents each year.
The chain reaction caused by rubbernecking while driving results in multiple car collisions each day.
An experienced personal injury attorney works to assist you if suffering injuries from a rubbernecking accident.
What Is Rubbernecking?
Rubbernecking in driving is the act of slowing down while driving past the scene of something occurring outside your car.
What catches your attention could be another car accident, an arrest on the roadway, a broken-down car, or anything else that sparks your curiosity.
This is considered a form of distracted driving because when you turn to look at the scene of a car accident, your eyes are no longer on the road ahead.
It doesn’t take long for this momentary lapse in attention to cause an accident.
Common Accidents Caused by Rubbernecking While Driving
The most common accident caused by rubbernecking while driving is a rear-end collision. When a driver slows suddenly to look at a scene outside their car, the car behind them may not have time to react.
This act may result in a rear-end collision with the rubbernecking driver. Alternatively, the rubbernecking driver may rear-end the driver in front of them.
As the distracted driver stares outside their car window, they may not notice the car in front of them stopping and drive straight into them.
Additionally, rubbernecking drivers may cause an accident by swerving into neighboring lanes and causing a collision.
Common Injuries Caused by Rubbernecking While Driving
Even if done at slow speeds, rubbernecking driving does not mean there is no risk of injury. Common injuries resulting from rubbernecking driving include:
- Broken bones,
- Neck injuries,
- Spinal cord injuries,
- Cuts and bruising,
- Back injuries.
If you’ve been in an accident where you believe the driver was rubbernecking while driving, contact an experienced personal injury attorney to explore your options.
What Can I Recover?
When injured in an accident due to someone rubbernecking while driving, you may seek recovery for your losses. Personal injury lawsuits permit recovery of both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages, often referred to as tangible losses, include things like medical expenses, property damage, and lost earnings.
Calculations of these damages require you to save records of auto service fees and medical bills.
Keeping past pay stubs may also be used to calculate lost earnings for your inability to work or loss of employment.
Non-economic Damages
Non-economic damages include losses more particular to each person’s experience after an accident.
One does not calculate non-economic damages from receipts and bills. Instead, non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering for medical conditions caused by the accident;
- Mental anguish for trauma or other psychological conditions resulting from the accident;
- Decreased quality of life due to injuries suffered in the accident;
- Physical disfigurement for catastrophic injuries that permanently alter your appearance;
- Physical impairments preventing you from returning to the normal life you had before the accident; and
- Loss of consortium compensates for the loss of a companion or partner.
Non-economic damages vary from person to person. There is no easy formula to calculate non-economic damages.
Therefore, it’s vital to have a qualified personal injury attorney on your side to ensure your rights are protected, and you receive adequate compensation for both economic and non-economic losses.
Contact Rubbernecking Lawyers Near Me For Help
The Fob James Law Firm specializes in personal injury cases in Alabama and Georgia.
We know what rubbernecking while driving means and how many accidents this form of distracted driving causes.
At the Fob James Law Firm, we dedicate our practice to protecting people and families injured by the negligence of others.
We work tirelessly to obtain the best possible result for our clients, and we are here for you! So don’t hesitate.
Call or contact the Fob James Law Firm online today for a free case consultation!
Fob James
Fob James obtained a B.S., in software engineering from Auburn University and then continued his education by getting his J.D. from Vanderbilt University School of Law. After working for a large regional firm for several years where he obtained awards for both individual and corporate clients, Fob found that his passion was fighting for individuals who have been seriously injured or wronged by others. Fob believes that the jury is the great equalizer to the power and influence that large corporations have in society.