Denver man loses leg in crash with distracted driver
Denver, CO – A 27-year-old Denver resident lost one leg and with it his livelihood after being injured in a crash caused by a distracted driver. Richard Diaz was heading home from work with two family members on Jan. 31 when a car crashed into them while they were traveling northbound on Monarch Boulevard in Castle Pines.
According to Diaz, the other driver reached down for something, then the car swerved and T-boned his van, causing it to flip over. He was trapped inside the vehicle, and his two relatives were also severely injured.
At present, Diaz is still recovering in hospital and he is extremely worried about the future. He used to be a house painter, but now he doesn’t know how he is going to earn a living.
“I have a lot of bills to pay . I have to get all kinds of things for when I get sent home, like a wheelchair, a seat, shower seat, and all that. It’s going to be difficult. My hospital bills are also going to be high,” he said.
Most common types of distracted driving
According to a 2021 survey conducted by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), nine in 10 drivers admitted to being distracted behind the wheel within the past week.
In 2020, distracted driving was a factor in more than 10,000 crashes, resulting in 68 deaths and over 1,500 injuries. If you or someone you love were recently involved in this type of crash, you need to reach out to knowledgeable Denver car accident lawyers. Distracted driving constitutes negligence and you are entitled to file a personal injury claim. However, proving that the other driver was distracted won’t be easy.
Here are the most common types of distracted driving:
Texting or using a cell phone: This is one of the most common and most dangerous forms of distracted driving, as it involves taking your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel, and your attention away from driving.
Under Colorado law, drivers can use cell phones for voice calls and they may wear headphones in one ear for this purpose. However, texting and browsing the Internet are strictly prohibited. Your accident lawyers will have to subpoena the driver’s cell phone provider and examine data usage to prove that the driver was texting or using an app at the time of the crash.
Eating or drinking: This involves taking your hands off the wheel to hold a drink or food, and can also divert your attention from the road. Seasoned Colorado accident lawyers advise clients to try and take pictures of the other car’s cabin to show that there were open food or drink containers near the driver’s seat.
Talking to passengers: Conversations with passengers can be distracting, especially if they are emotional or involve complex topics. Agitated pets can also distract the driver’s attnetion.
Grooming: This includes activities such as putting on makeup, fixing your hair, or adjusting your clothing, which can take your attention away from driving. There have been cases of female drivers doing their nails behind the wheel.
Using navigation systems: While GPS systems can be helpful, they can also be distracting if you are trying to input information while driving.
Adjusting radio or climate controls: Fiddling with the radio, air conditioning, or other vehicle controls can divert your attention from the road.
Daydreaming: Sometimes, drivers can become lost in thought or distracted by external factors, such as scenery or billboards, which can impair their ability to drive safely.
If you have been recently involved in an accident caused by distracted driving, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer at the Bryan & Terrill law firm right away if you want to get the damages you are entitled to.
Contact info:
333 W. Hampden Ave., #420B
Englewood, CO 80110
(720) 923-2333
Source: Denver man needs help after losing leg in crash with alleged distracted driver
