Auto Accident Lawyer: Understanding Distracted Driving in Texas
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Distractions abound today, whether it’s on the road or the sidewalk. They can be a serious problem for drivers. If a driver’s distraction on the road in Texas causes an accident, and you get injured, you may have a personal injury claim to file.
At The Law Office of Orlando Zambrano, our personal injury lawyer in Texas will review your case and help identify whether a distraction was the cause or a contributing factor to an accident, and then lay out your options for you. Making sure you get the compensation you deserve is the best way to recover from the losses you endured. Contact us online or at 832-422-9399 to schedule a FREE CONSULTATION.
IS DISTRACTED DRIVING IN TEXAS CONSIDERED NEGLIGENCE?
The short, unsatisfying answer to this question is: maybe. In order to understand when and how distracted driving can be considered negligence, it is important to understand what, exactly, comprises negligence.
Negligence is a theory in tort law that allows people to obtain compensation if four specific elements are present and proven: duty, breach, causation, and damages. First, the other party must have a duty to act in a certain way. Next, they must have breached this duty and the breach must have led to your injury and the damages flowing from the injury. Finally, the party seeking compensation must have actually incurred damages.
To apply negligence to distracted driving, you have to consider whether the driver or another person owed you a duty of care. Drivers owe everyone on and around the roadways a duty of care to drive safely and in accordance with the law. If the driver was distracted and, for example, struck your vehicle and you suffered whiplash, then that’s negligence only if your vehicle was damaged and/or the whiplash was real and required medical attention that resulted in medical bills. If your car was not damaged and you suffered no injury, then though the driver may have been negligent, it will not qualify you for compensation.
COMMON DISTRACTIONS WHILE DRIVING IN TEXAS
Anything that takes your attention away from the road while driving can be considered a distraction. However, different types of distractions can impact drivers in different ways.
VISUAL
Visual distractions are anything that takes a driver’s eyes off the road. Some examples of visual distractions include
Texting or using the smartphones in any other capacity
Changing the radio station
Trying to manage pets that are not in a carrier or otherwise restrained
Turning around to communicate with someone in the backseat, especially children.
It is obviously critical for drivers to be able to see what is going on on the road in front of them, which means that seemingly minor visual distractions can have devastating consequences.
MANUAL
Manual distractions are anything that makes a driver take their hands off the wheel while driving. Manual distractions may seem less dangerous than visual distractions if a driver still has their eyes on the road. Some situations, however, require split second reactions, and so not having hands on the wheel to immediately react can be the difference between a close call and a serious accident.
COGNITIVE
Cognitive distractions are anything that takes a driver’s mind off the road. They are similar to manual distractions in that they can seem more benign than visual accidents, but can have the same catastrophic consequences. Cognitive distractions can be anything from chatting with a friend to simply thinking hard about an emotional situation.
COMPENSATION YOU CAN EXPECT AFTER A DISTRACTED DRIVING ACCIDENT IN TEXAS
One of the main concerns many car accident victims have is being made financially whole after their accident. There are many things that an accident victim could potentially be eligible to seek compensation for, and they generally fit into a couple of main categories.
Economic damages are financial losses that victims incur, which include things like medical bills, replacing a car, and even lost wages from being unable to work. Non-economic damages, on the other hand, are intended to compensate a victim for the pain and suffering that they experience as a result of their accident.
CONTACT AN AUTO ACCIDENT AND PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER IN TEXAS TODAY
At The Law Office of Orlando Zambrano, it is our job to make sure you get the representation you need in your personal injury claim. Distracted driving cases can be straightforward or complex––regardless of the latter, we are here to help. Contact our auto accident and personal injury legal team at 832-422-9399 to schedule a FREE CONSULTATION and to get the advocacy you deserve.
The Law Office of Orlando Zambrano is committed to answering your questions about Car Crashes, 18-Wheeler Crashes, Slip and Falls, On The Job Injuries, Medical Malpractice and Dog Bites in Texas.
3272 Broadway St. Suite. 122, Pearland, TX