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According to the Texas Department of Transportation, texting and driving is illegal across the state of Texas. One of the leading causes of distracted driving accidents is texting and driving. According to the Texas DOT, distracted driving resulted in 109,658 crashes in Texas, causing 3,087 serious injuries. In fact, one in five crashes is believed to be caused by distracted driving. While texting and driving is one of the most commonly cited causes of distracted driving accidents, any kind of distraction can lead to accidents. Answering the phone while driving, making phone calls, putting on makeup, eating and driving, checking a map while driving, or changing songs on your radio or music device can all also be considered distracted driving. If another driver engaged in any of these activities before your accident, this driver may be responsible for paying for your medical bills, rehabilitation expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
The Cooper Law Firm are distracted driving lawyers in Texas who may be able to help you with your claim. Proving distracted driving can sometimes be challenging. Our firm can take a close look at police reports, speak to witnesses, speak to insurance companies, and fight to help you get the claim you may deserve under the law. However, you may only have a limited amount of time following an accident to fight for your rights. Contact the Cooper Law Firm today to learn more.
The Different Types of Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is not limited to texting and driving. Any kind of distraction that takes your attention away from driving, your eyes off the road, or your hands from the wheel is considered distracted driving. Here are some types of distracted driving:
- Visual Distractions. Checking text messages. Looking down at a map. Turning your eyes to a passenger to talk. All of these are visual distractions that can result in crashes. Drivers should never take their eyes off the road. When they do, accidents can happen.
- Manual Distractions. Eating and driving. Holding a cell phone. Changing songs on an iPod. Putting on makeup while driving. All of these are manual distractions that can impact your driving ability. Drivers should always have both hands on the wheel and feet at the ready to stop their vehicles.
- Mental Distraction. Arguing with a person in your car. Driving while emotional. Paying attention to a phone call instead of the road. Mental distractions can take your attention away from the road and make you a risk to yourself or others. If a driver needs to discipline a child or gets emotional, the best option is to pull over.
Distracted driving is more than just texting and driving. If you have been hurt by another driver who was distracted in any of the above ways, you may be entitled to make a claim under the law. The Cooper Law Firm are distracted driving lawyers in Texas who may be able to assist you with your claim.
Proving Distracted Driving in Texas
Distracted driving can be difficult to prove. Drivers may not always be willing to admit that they were distracted by their cell phones and may not always admit if they were engaging in other distracted driving behaviors. However, there are several ways that your distracted driving lawyer may be able to prove that the other driver was distracted. For example, call logs, evidence of interactions on social media, and texts can prove that a driver may have been on his or her phone before an accident. Witnesses may also be able to reveal additional facts about the causes of your crash. For example, witnesses may have seen the other driver arguing in his or her car, or disciplining a child in the car. Or witnesses may have seen the other driver eating while driving. A driver’s frequent habits can also serve as proof. If a driver is always seen putting on makeup in the morning or if a driver is always texting and driving, then you may be able to make a case that the driver might have been engaging in this behavior during your crash.
The Cooper Law Firm are distracted driving attorneys in Texas who can take the time to properly investigate your case to determine whether driver distraction may have played a role in your crash. You may only have a limited amount of time to make a claim under the law to make a claim and to prove your case. Contact the Cooper Law Firm today to learn more.
Seek Justice in Texas for Your Crash
When you hold drivers accountable for their actions behind the wheel, you send a strong message that distracted driving won’t be tolerated. If you have been hurt due to distracted driving, contact the Cooper Law Firm today to learn more about your rights. Our firm fights for the rights of the injured.
