Cross-border personal injury can be caused by distracted drivers

March is Distracted Driving Awareness Month in British Columbia. Although many drivers think they have heard it all before, safety authorities say drivers need frequent reminding of their increased vulnerability if they give in to distractions. For Vancouver residents who head south of the border, it might be a good idea to look out for drivers who show signs of being distracted. Navigating cross-border personal injury claims can be complicated.

RoadSafetyBC says the prevention of distracted driving starts at learning the rules of the road. One often disregarded rule is the law that prohibits using a cellphone while stopped at a red light or in held-up in traffic. Although hands-free cellphone use is allowed, setting up Bluetooth and attaching the device must be done before the trip starts. However, all mobile phone use, even in hands-free mode, is prohibited for learner or novice drivers.

Safety authorities say drivers can avoid distraction by realizing that no text, call or email is worth dying for, or causing the deaths of others. If responding to calls is crucial, it might be a good idea to designate a passenger to handle the responses on behalf of the driver. If letting calls go to voicemail or having a designated texter is not an option, the safest option is to pull off the road where it is safe to make or answer calls and texts.

Victims of car accidents that were caused by distracted drivers may have grounds to pursue claims for damage recovery. It is never easy to prove that other drivers were distracted, but an experienced British Columbia lawyer can provide the necessary support and guidance. If such an accident occurs in Seattle or elsewhere in Washington State, a lawyer with experience in dealing with cross-border personal injury claims can deal with insurance and legal matters of both countries.