Distracted driving accidents can result in devastating injuries and financial losses. If you or a loved one was involved in an accident caused by a distracted driver, contact Ramsey Law Group. We offer free, no-obligation case consultations; call (888) 335-7477 or send us a request online today.
Rarely will a distracted driver admit fault for an accident. As a result, the burden will fall on you to prove the other driver was distracted and caused the collision. An experienced Houston distracted driving accident lawyer has the resources to thoroughly investigate your accident and gather the evidence needed to support your claim. They will review the driver’s statements in-depth for any admissions, as well as eyewitness statements, subpoena cell phone records if necessary, obtain any surveillance footage or videos of the accident, and more.
If any of the blame falls on you, your compensation can be drastically reduced under Texas’s modified comparative negligence law. To ensure you recover the compensation you deserve, your attorney will skillfully build your case, handle the negotiations with the at-fault party’s insurance company, and prepare your case for trial in the event that the insurer will not settle for a fair amount.
Distracted driving is generally divided into three categories:
Manual Distractions
Distractions that lead drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel, such as eating or drinking, reaching for an item, changing the music, etc.
Visual Distractions
Distractions that take a driver’s eyes off of the road, which even for a split second can be extremely dangerous. For example, texting, looking at a GPS navigation system, putting on makeup, etc.
Cognitive Distractions
Distractions that take a driver’s mind off of the task of driving. Even though a driver’s hands may be on the wheel and their eyes on the road, a distracted mind can quickly lead to a collision. For instance, talking to other passengers, daydreaming, talking on the phone hands-free, etc.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), nine people die every day from distracted driving. In addition, the NHTSA reports that 3,142 deaths in 2019 were attributed to distracted driving. Sometimes, distractions fall into multiple categories, increasing the risk of an accident occurring. Texting while driving, for instance, is especially dangerous because it involves all three types of distraction. Sending or reading a text takes a driver’s eyes and hands off the road for approximately five seconds, which, if a vehicle is traveling at 55 mph, it can be compared to driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed.
If you or a loved one has suffered a severe injury as a result of a distracted driver in Houston, we will fight for the compensation you deserve. Call (888) 335-7477 or send us a message online to schedule a free consultation today.