Dallas Distracted Driving Accident Attorneys

distracted driving texting while driving

Distracted Driving in 2020 is On the Rise

How many times have you been stuck behind or next to someone who was driving erratically or missed a signal change while looking down at a cell phone instead of at the road ahead? If you have been involved in a crash caused by a distracted driver, you know the tragic consequences of this all-too-common bad habit.

With the increased use of electronic devices behind the wheel, distracted driving has become a major traffic safety concern in Texas and across the country.

In Texas alone, 460 people were killed in accidents involving distracted drivers in one recent year. Another 18,635 people in the state suffered serious injuries from distracted driving crashes.

What Can Be Considered Distracted Driving in Dallas?

According to Distraction.gov, the official U.S. government website about distracted driving, visual-manual subtasks associated with the use of handheld phones triple the risk of being involved in a car accident. It’s not just cell phones and other electronics that cause driver distraction. Anything that diverts a driver’s attention – eating, drinking, talking, daydreaming and tending to children, for example – can result in a distraction-related crash.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident caused by someone else’s distraction, you should seek legal advice immediately – before you discuss the matter with an insurance adjuster and before signing any documents. Let the law offices of Kraft & Associates, P.C., advise you about your legal rights. We’re an established and professional law firm with friendly lawyers and staff who are easy to talk to. Please contact us today.

Most Common Cause of Distracted Drivers

At any given moment during daylight hours, approximately 660,000 people are talking or texting on a cell phone or using some type of electronic device while driving in the U.S. According to Distraction.gov, the use of a hands-free phone is not significantly safer than using a handheld device.

As reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), surveys have shown that the percentage of drivers holding cell phones to their ears is greater during rush hours than at other times of day, and greater with either no passengers or all passengers under the age of 8 than with older people in the vehicle.

Types of Distracted Driving

Although the use of electronic devices while driving is a serious problem on the roadways, it is not the only type of driver distraction that causes accidents. Distraction can occur in any number of ways, including:

  • Eating or drinking.
  • Smoking.
  • Using GPS navigation.
  • Adjusting the radio, air conditioning or other accessories on the car.
  • Reading maps or other materials.
  • Applying makeup, shaving or grooming.
  • Talking to passengers.
  • Dealing with children.

Any activity that takes a driver’s attention away from the important task of operating a motor vehicle safely may be considered distracted driving. All distractions are a danger to drivers, passengers, other motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians.

Liability for Distracted Driving Accidents in Dallas

If you have been injured in a car accident caused by distraction on the part of another driver, you may be entitled to seek compensation from him or her for your injuries. It is important to obtain legal counsel before you discuss the matter with an insurance adjuster or sign any paperwork.

Distracted driving, in its many forms, can easily lead to an accident, and the driver who caused the accident should be held liable for your injuries and other losses. At Kraft & Associates, P.C., our attorneys have years of experience dealing with insurance companies and handling accident claims.

We often work with investigators and accident reconstructionists to establish the true cause of the accident and the fault of the distracted driver. Our investigators can visit the scene of the accident to collect evidence and inspect the vehicles involved in the collision. We can interview witnesses and obtain cell phone records to establish that distracted driving on the part of the other driver caused or contributed to the crash.

Texas’ Fault System and Why Negligence Matters in DFW

The State of Texas has a “fault” system for auto accident insurance that holds drivers accountable for the accidents they cause. If you have been injured through someone else’s negligence, you have several options for pursuing compensation:

  1. You may file a first-party claim with your own insurance company.
  2. You may file a third-party claim for compensation from the other driver’s insurance company.
  3. You may file a lawsuit in court seeking money damages for physical injuries, property damage, pain and suffering, and other losses.

Our job is to negotiate with the insurance companies, to ensure that your rights are protected and to help you obtain the compensation you deserve for your injuries and damages. Although most cases settle out of court, our firm is prepared to take cases to trial if needed to obtain the fair compensation you are entitled to receive.

Contact Our Distracted Driving Accident Lawyers

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury in an accident caused by someone else’s distracted driving, you should speak with an experienced attorney to ensure that your legal rights are protected. Please call Kraft & Associates, P.C., or complete our online form for a free assessment of your case and contact us anytime for a free consultation.

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