When a careless driver causes your injury
As technology advances, it seems as though no one is without a cell phone, smartphone, PDA, tablet, GPS device, MP3 player or other gadget these days. While these items can certainly be useful for communication and entertainment in daily life, they are also a constant source of distraction — and it has become increasingly tempting for drivers to use cell phones while driving. Unfortunately, paying attention to gadgets and other distractions while driving leads to collisions every day — collisions that can seriously injure or even kill other drivers, passengers and innocent bystanders. If you or your loved one was hurt in an accident caused by someone texting while driving or otherwise distracted, an experienced attorney from our firm can help you obtain rightful compensation.
Cell phone law
Only hands-free cell phone use while driving is permitted for adult motorists in Texas. Those under age 18 are considered novice drivers under Texas cell phone law and are prohibited from using cell phones in any capacity, even hands-free. Texting while driving and other similar actions, such as emailing, instant messaging and Internet browsing, are outlawed for all drivers, although emergency personnel and other drivers responding to emergencies are exempt from the texting ban.
Using a cell phone and driving can lead to accidents
Results from two recent studies show the correlation between cell phone use and driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that distracted drivers caused 1 out of every 5 auto crashes resulting in fatal and nonfatal injuries.
Additionally, a University of Utah study found that distracted drivers pose more of a risk to those on the road than drunk or reckless driving motorists. According to the report, drivers who were distracted had even slower reaction times than drivers with .08-percent blood alcohol content, which is the legal limit.
Other types of distracted driving:
Talking to passengers
Drinking or eating
Applying makeup, shaving or performing other grooming functions
Reading
Adjusting the radio
Programming the GPS
Using cell phones while driving is just one common type of motorist distraction. If your accident injury resulted from any of the following distracted driving behaviors, an auto accident attorney from our firm can help you file a claim for compensation and obtain a settlement or jury verdict.