Distracted driving causes vehicle accidents that result in injuries and deaths. If a distracted driver hurt you, you should not have to suffer the financial consequences of your accident alone. The reckless or negligent driver responsible for your crash should pay. A Corpus Christi distracted driving accident lawyer with Ben Crump, PLLC can assist you in seeking financial awards to aid with your recovery and compensate your losses. Call our offices at (844) 730-0233.
Cell Phones Are a Big Distraction
No one gets behind the wheel planning on causing a crash, but a few seconds of distraction can have devastating consequences. According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), distracted driving caused more than 17 percent of crashes statewide in 2019. This resulted in nearly 400 fatalities and 2,500 serious injuries.
One of the biggest sources of distraction is cellular phones. For this reason, many states, including Texas, have laws regarding cell phones and driving. It is illegal to read, write, or send text messages while operating a vehicle. Additionally, the use of a handheld device is prohibited:
- In school zones
- For any driver under the age of 18
- For any driver with a learner’s permit during their first six months of driving
- For bus drivers, when children are present
Cities in Texas may pass their own ordinances regarding cell phones, and Corpus Christi outlaws handheld communication devices under City Ordinance 53-16. Violation of the law is a finable offense.
Cell phones are not the only driving distraction. Distractions are anything that takes our hands from the wheel or our eyes and minds off of the road. Daydreaming, looking in the mirror, and eating and drinking are all distractions. Other distractions include messing with the radio controls or GPS system, talking to passengers, looking at the scenery, adjusting packages or other cargo, reading, or watching a video.
When drivers get distracted, they may make unsafe decisions. Distracted driving can lead to speeding, failing to obey traffic lights and traffic signs, traveling in the wrong lane, and improper turns. This can result in head-on collisions, broadside accidents, rear-end collisions, and accidents involving bicyclists and pedestrians.
For a free legal consultation with a distracted driving accidents lawyer serving Corpus Christi, call (844) 730-0233
Seeking Compensation Through Insurance
If a distracted driver caused your accident, they could be legally liable for your damages. Texas requires drivers to carry liability insurance to pay for the accidents they cause. According to the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), drivers must have a minimum of $30,000 in coverage for injuries to one person, up to $60,000 to pay for injuries to two or more people, and $25,000 in coverage for property damages.
You can start seeking compensation by filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. While this may seem straightforward, the insurance process can get tricky. It is advantageous for the insurance company to keep its payouts low.
For this reason, insurers may look for reasons to underpay or deny your claims. In some instances, the liable driver may not have enough coverage to fully pay for your medical care and other expenses, or they may not have any insurance at all. When these situations arise, having a Corpus Christi distracted driving accident lawyer on your side may help you.
Corpus Christi Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
Seeking Compensation in Civil Court
If insurance does not offer a solution, an attorney can represent you in a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. In a personal injury lawsuit, you can seek compensation for:
- Medical care – This includes all of the necessary medical treatments for injuries suffered because of your crash. You may win compensation for services you required in the days and weeks immediately following your accident, as well as long-term medical care needs, such as physical therapy, rehabilitation services, the cost of mobility aids or other special equipment, follow up procedures, and more.
- Lost wages – Being out of work because of an injury does not mean the bills stop coming. An attorney can help you fight for back pay and awards to help with your rent or mortgage, car payments, and other household expenses while you get back on your feet.
- Property damages – If your car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, or other vehicle or property suffered damages, you may be entitled to the costs of their repair or replacement.
- Pain and suffering – These damages award victims for the physical and emotional consequences of their accident. You may win compensation for stress, anxiety, depression, permanent physical and mental disabilities, scarring, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life.
If your loved one died because of a distracted driving accident, you may be able to recover damages they could have received in a personal injury lawsuit if they lived. You may also sue for your grief, your loss of love and companionship, and the loss of your loved one’s financial support.
Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §16.003, you may not be able to seek awards if you do not file your case within the two-year time limit allowed by the statute of limitations. The court may also bar you from seeking compensation if you are more than 50 percent responsible for your accident, according to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §33.001. Reach out to an attorney to learn more about your legal options.
Standing Up for Victims
Ben Crump, PLLC believes that everyone deserves a chance at justice. In the face of large insurance companies, you may feel you do not have a voice, but our team is here to make sure you are heard. We are not afraid of tough cases, and we will fight for awards to help you get your life back on track.
If you would like to find out more about working with a Corpus Christi distracted driving accident lawyer, call us today at (844) 730-0233. A member of our team can get you started with a risk-free, no-cost consultation.
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