Distracted driving is a major cause of accidents and fatalities on Texas roads. It is estimated that 80,000 traffic accidents in the state were caused by distracted driving in 2020 ( KLTV), and these accidents result in thousands of injuries and fatalities each year.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a distracted driving accident, you need an experienced Laredo car accident attorney to protect your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve. At Gonzalez Druker Law Firm, PLLC, our Laredo distracted driving accident attorneys can provide the legal guidance you need to recover the maximum compensation available.
What Constitutes Distracted Driving?
In Texas, you are prohibited from using your phone while driving unless you are making an emergency call. The state also has a ban on texting while driving, which became effective in September 2017 ( TXDOT). Many drivers, however, still engage in distracted driving without realizing it. For example, eating or drinking while driving, fiddling with the radio, using GPS, talking to passengers, and daydreaming are all forms of distracted driving. If you were injured in a crash caused by a driver who was distracted, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Our Laredo distracted driving accident attorneys can help.
Who Is Liable in a Distracted Driving Accident?
Finding the party responsible for your accident can be tricky. In most cases, you can sue/file a claim against the driver who was distracted for causing your accident. However, if the driver was on a call with a hands-free device, you may have to sue the driver’s employer. Employers are often liable for the negligent actions of their employees while on the job. If the driver was on a call with a hands-free device and you can prove that the hands-free device was defective, you may be able to sue the device’s manufacturer. You may even have to sue all of these parties to recover the compensation you need to get the medical treatment you deserve.
To successfully sue all liable parties, it is important to hire an experienced Laredo personal injury lawyer. At Gonzalez Druker Law Firm, PLLC, our Laredo distracted driving accident attorneys can help you navigate the legal process and recover the maximum compensation available.
Most Common Accidents Caused by Distracted Driving
Distracted driving or driving without paying proper attention to the road can result in a variety of serious types of accidents in Laredo. A distracted driver is more likely to engage in dangerous, reckless and careless behaviors that contribute to various collisions.
The most common types of accidents caused by distracted driving in Texas include:
- Rear-end collision: a distracted driver fails to notice that the vehicle he or she is following has slowed down or stopped, leading to a rear-end crash.
- Intersection accident: inattention makes a driver run a red light or stop sign, potentially causing a catastrophic accident such as a T-bone wreck or side-impact crash.
- Head-on collision: a distracted driver fails to notice a “Wrong Way” sign or unintentionally crosses over a median into oncoming traffic, causing two vehicles to collide head-on.
- Sideswipe accident: a driver who is focusing on something else drifts or veers into another lane, colliding with the side of an adjacent vehicle.
- Bicycle or pedestrian accident: a distracted driver does not notice a cyclist sharing the roadway or a pedestrian crossing the road, resulting in a serious collision involving vulnerable road users.
- Multi-vehicle accident: a driver who isn’t paying attention causes a high-speed initial collision that propels a vehicle into another vehicle, and so on – triggering a chain reaction or pileup accident.
- Parking lot accident: a driver fails to pay enough attention when backing out of a parking space or does not keep a proper lookout for pedestrians, causing collisions with other vehicles or people.
These car accidents can cause severe injuries and fatalities. At Gonzalez Druker Law Firm, PLLC, we can help clients if they are injured in any kind of collision involving a distracted driver or inattention.
What to Do After a Distracted Driving Accident in Laredo
If you’re involved in a harmful car accident in Laredo and believe that the other driver was distracted at the time – including texting while driving – try to take the following steps to ensure your safety and strengthen your insurance or legal claim:
- Bring your vehicle to a stop in a safe location near the scene to check yourself, your passengers and those in the other car for injuries. Call the police and seek medical attention immediately if anyone is hurt
- Call law enforcement to report the accident and request paramedics, if necessary. Dial 911 from the scene of the accident and explain your version of events when the police arrive. Request a copy of your police report to document the crash.
- Talk to the other driver to get his or her name, contact information and insurance information. Speak to any passengers and eyewitnesses, as well, to obtain statements.
- Gather evidence before you leave the scene. Take photographs and videos of the crash scene, focusing on any evidence of distraction (e.g., open food containers, drinks or a phone).
- Contact your car insurance company to report the accident. Don’t admit fault for the crash, give a recorded statement or accept the very first settlement offer sent to you. It may be less money than you deserve.
When you notify your insurance company of the distracted driving accident, it will initiate the claims process. You may need to hire a car accident lawyer in Laredo at this point to take over settlement negotiations with an insurer or bring your case to trial if a fair settlement cannot be reached.
Recovering Compensation for a Distracted Driving Accident
If you have been injured in a distracted driving accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. However, the process of recovering this compensation can be complex. At Gonzalez Druker Law Firm, PLLC, our Laredo distracted driving accident attorneys can help you seek the compensation you deserve.
To learn more about your legal options, call (956) 728-9191 or contact us online.