Distracted driving has become the cause of many car accidents since cell phones became popular. Drivers talk, text and use apps on their phones while driving. This causes a great many accidents. Drivers become distracted. They focus on their phones rather than other cars and traffic signals. Many a Houston car accident lawyer finds their services in high demand against someone who was texting and driving.. Texas, like most states, has cracked down on texting and driving to curb the number of accidents and injuries it causes. Contact an attorney at McDonald Worley if someone has caused you an injury while texting and driving.
Texas Texting and Driving Laws
In September 2017, Texas finally passed a law that bans texting while driving. However, even without this law, common law in Texas holds you liable for negligence due to distracted driving. It doesn’t matter whether or not a traffic or criminal citation is issued at an accident. If one party was texting while driving, they are at fault.
If a person gets into an accident because of their distracted driving, they can be sued for damages. This includes talking or texting on their cell phone. Contact a car accident attorney if you need help.
Dangers of Texting and Driving
Although it is obvious texting while driving is dangerous, it is important to point out why texting can so distracting. There are 3 main ways in which texting while driving is dangerous:
- Cognitive – if your mind is focused on the text at hand, you are more likely to get into an accident.
- Visual – if your eyes are on your phone, they are not on the road.
- Manual – if your hand is busy texting, it cannot possibly be on the steering wheel where it needs to be. If you are trying to drive with one hand (or your knees) you cannot possibly be driving safely.
It is so easy to pull over or wait until you get home to send a text. However, there are still thousands of accidents every year caused by texting and driving. You need an auto accident attorney in Houston, TX if you were involved in such a crash.
Proving the Other Party Was Distracted
Without an actual video of the other driver, it may be hard to prove the other driver was texting. You can always hope for an old-fashioned eyewitness to attest to the fact that the other driver was texting. However, thanks to advances in technology, we don’t need an eyewitness now. Your car accident attorney can subpoena the phone records of the other party. They can see if the phone was in use at the time of the accident.
How Juries look at Distracted Driving
Most jurors are going to side with the party who was not texting while driving. If you can prove the other party was distracted, you have a good chance of the jury awarding you damages. Your car wreck lawyer in Houston, TX can help.
Call A Car Accident Attorney in Houston, TX
If you have been involved in a car accident, call a car accident lawyer in Houston, TX. The experts at McDonald Worley know what it takes to handle a texting and driving accident case.. They know what evidence they need to prove your case. They will do everything possible to get you the compensation you deserve. Call 877-721-3423 for a free consultation today.