The widespread usage of cell phones has increased the risk of distracted driving on the nation’s highways. In Texas alone, one in five crashes is caused by distracted drivers each year, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.
Drivers who have demonstrated negligence must be held responsible for their actions. At The Buzbee Law Firm, our Galveston, TX, distracted driving car accident lawyers take our client’s pain seriously and work tirelessly to see that they receive justice for their losses.
We provide enquiring victims with a free initial consultation in addition to reviewing the facts, managing insurance negotiations, and preparing our clients for hearings. If a distracted motorist hurts you, our top priority is to honor you by protecting your rights and increasing your settlement.
What Constitutes Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving is any behavior that takes focus away from the crucial task of driving safely. Distractions of any kind put everyone on the road in danger, including the driver, passengers, and other drivers. Common examples of distracted driving include:
- Talking or texting on a mobile device
- Drinking or eating
- Changing a GPS or the radio
- Talking to other passengers
- Putting cosmetics on or grooming yourself in the mirror
- Reading content or watching videos
The Texas Department of Transportation cites texting as the most concerning distraction because it combines manual, visual, and cognitive attentional distractions. This kind of driving behavior increases a driver’s risk of texting and driving collisions by three times. Sadly, 27% of the distracted drivers killed in crashes were young adults under age 30.
What Damages Can I Collect After an Accident Caused by a Distracted Driver?
After an accident caused by a distracted driver, you will likely be eligible to collect a wide range of damages. The damages that apply to your case will depend on the particular circumstances of your accident and the injuries you sustained.
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover any losses you suffered as a result of your accident that had a direct impact on your finances. Common economic damages include:
- Lost wages
- Decreased earning ability
- Medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Property damage
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages cover any other losses that resulted from your accident. These damages are wide-ranging and can often be significant. Common non-economic damages include:
- Permanent disability
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
- Diminished quality of life
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are only awarded in a small percentage of distracted driving car accident cases. For a judge to award punitive damages, you must demonstrate that the actions of the at-fault party were either criminally negligent or carried out with the willful intention of causing harm.
How Much Can I Get from a Distracted Driving Car Accident Settlement in Texas?
The settlement amount you can obtain following a car accident in Galveston will depend on a number of elements, including the seriousness of the injuries, the degree of vehicle damage, the amount of lost wages, hospital costs, and other elements, like contributory negligence.
Because every case is different, it is impossible to forecast the value of a claim without carefully examining each of these elements.
The simplest method to learn more about the possible worth of your claim is to speak with a distracted driving car accident attorney in Galveston. They may assess the details of your case and use the best legal tactics to increase your compensation.
Distracted Driving Car Accident Lawsuit Time Limit
If you are planning on filing a lawsuit in a case involving a distracted driver, it is critical that you are mindful of the statute of limitations. In Texas, accident victims only have two years to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation. If you don’t file within this time frame, your right to recover damages could be lost.
However, it is important to note that certain factors can alter the amount of time you have to file. Depending on the specifics of your case, this could either give you more or less time to submit your lawsuit to the courts. By hiring an experienced Galveston, TX, distracted driving car accident lawyer soon after your crash, you can ensure that your claim gets filed on time.
How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help With Your Distracted Driving Car Accident Claim
If you want to be compensated for a distracted driving accident, you must act quickly. You shouldn’t be responsible for the costs of the collision if a distracted or careless motorist hurt you.
Several things a distracted driving accident attorney can do for your case include:
- Thoroughly examining the circumstances underlying the crash
- If necessary, requesting an independent accident investigation by a specialist in accident reconstruction
- Gaining access to the careless driver’s telephone history
- A thorough assessment of the injuries’ severity and the likelihood of a full recovery
- Assessing all damages, both financial and non-financial
- Analyzing your and the at-fault driver’s motor insurance plans to ascertain the coverage limits
- A determination of the negligent driver’s assets, if necessary
- Making contact with the insurance provider of the negligent driver and arranging a settlement
- Filing a lawsuit in civil court if the insurance provider doesn’t provide a fair and timely payment
To get qualified legal assistance to handle your compensation situation, rely on the skillful expertise of a Galveston accident law firm specializing in personal injury.
Common Car Accidents Caused by Distracted Drivers
Most likely, you have seen these distracted drivers slide out of their lanes or cause other hazardous situations. If you were involved in an accident caused by a distracted driver, the personal injury attorneys at the Buzbee Law Firm could help.
Our Galveston, TX, distracted driving car accident lawyers can assist you if you were involved in any of the following types of accidents:
Rear-End Collisions
When a texting driver fails to see that traffic ahead has stopped until it is too late or until the collision occurs, innocent people are frequently badly harmed.
Intersection Crashes
A driver who is texting is simply not paying attention to the road ahead and is much more likely to run a red light or stop sign, cross the street illegally, and T-bone another car, frequently with fatal results.
Highway Wrecks
In the Galveston region, a driver texting while driving is liklier to swerve out of their lane, side-swipe another car, or collide head-on with it.
Front-End Collisions
Whether in the city, on one of the many freeways, or on a country road, a driver who is not paying attention behind the wheel is far more likely to veer into oncoming lanes of traffic. This behavior is impossible to forecast for oncoming cars, who may end up paying the price.
T-Bone or Side-Swipe Accidents
All other users of the street, road, or highway run a significant danger of death or serious harm when a driver wanders out of their lane due to inattention. Depending on the traffic speed and how the impact happened, it can cause a multi-vehicle accident with many people getting hurt or killed.
Legal Representation After a Distracted Driving Car Wreck
At The Buzbee Law Firm, we take pride in holding distracted drivers liable for the harm they create. In Galveston, our skilled distracted driving auto accident laqyers assist victims of auto accidents brought on by someone else’s negligence. You can rely on our firm to fiercely defend your rights and interests.
A distracted driver’s actions could have resulted in significant injuries that prevented you from working or the tragic loss of a loved one. Contact us and let us examine the evidence in your case and take care of the legal issues related to your injury.
