Even though intoxication may seem like the most obvious leading cause of vehicle fatalities, that is not the case. Unfortunately, distracted driving takes the number one spot, and if you’ve been harmed by a distracted driver, contact a Houston distracted driving accident lawyer here at The Gonzalez Law Group to learn more about these accidents and how our firm can help you.
Houston Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer | Here to Help You
Distracted driving is a behavior that is already legally condemned in a lot of places. Why do individuals continue to ignore the damage distracted driving may have on lives? Distracted driving can cause physical injuries and trauma that is long-term and irreversible.
Our Houston personal injury attorneys aggressively fight for our clients’ right to compensation. You may be eligible to receive exemplary damages if gross negligence was found in the accident. We understand the difficulty your family may be facing following the accident. Our attorneys are here for you.
Common Distractions That Lead to Accidents
Distracted driving is anything that can cause you to lose focus while on the road. While anything that can cause a distraction may seem like an urgent matter, such as taking an important call, it is best recommended to pull up to the side. Driving distractions can be grouped into 3 different types. The three main types include:
- Visual = Taking your eyes off the road;
- Manual = Taking your hands off the wheel; and
- Cognitive = Taking your mind off driving (CDC).
The most common driving distractions on any U.S. road are as follows:
- Texting and driving
- Talking on the phone and driving
- Talking to other people inside the car
- Messing with the radio/music
- Messing with the navigation map system
- Eating and drinking
- Searching for something inside the car
- Putting on makeup or looking in the mirror
Distracted Driving Statistics
- The most common texting and driving statistic is the fact that the amount of time it takes to send or read a text (about 5 seconds) is approximately the amount of time traveled through a whole football field at 55 mph (CDC).
- Students who reported texting and driving were also found to be less likely to wear a seatbelt and more likely to drink and drive (CDC).
- From 2009-2018, 16 to 24-year olds have been continuously ranked higher on driver handheld cellphone use than their older counterparts (Insurance Information Institute).
- Between 2017 and 2018, driver handheld cellphone use increased for all age groups. The highest increase was seen in 70 and over-year olds who increased driver handheld cellphone use from 0.8% to 1.9% (Insurance Information Institute).
- Cell phone users are 5.36 times more likely to get into an accident than undistracted drivers.
- The fatal crash rate for teens is three times greater than for drivers age 20 and over.
- In 2018, 18% of motor vehicle crashes on Texas roadways were caused by distracted driving (Texas Department of Transportation).
Proving Your Claim
Distracted driving is a form of driver negligence. When filing a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit, negligence must be proven to recover for damages. In many cases, it is useful to uncover cell phone records to prove that the driver was using his or her cellular device at the time of your accident. While the insurance company covering the accident may not go as far as checking any records, a lawsuit, especially one involving a court trial, may warrant for the other driver’s cell phone records as evidence.
Per the Texas statute of limitations, you have two years from the date of the accident to file for a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. Even if criminal charges have already been filed and resulted in their own investigation and determination, you can still file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit separately. You can rely on a Houston distracted driving accident lawyer right here at our firm.
Contact a Houston Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer
Distracted driving ends more lives than alcohol and drugs on the road. Distracted driving is an avoidable act that needs to be condemned to reduce it from harming any more lives. Any injury sustained in a distracted driving accident is likely to be severe and require prolonged medical care that can put a heavy economic strain on the victims of the accident. If the other party’s insurance company refuses to pay up for more medical costs or refuses to accept the driver’s fault, filing a lawsuit may be more suitable. At The Gonzalez Law Group, we can help you hold the other party responsible by suing the responsible party for damages. Our attorneys do not settle at the first offer but litigate for the highest compensation available. Contact us for further evaluation of your legal options.
