Texting and Driving Accident Attorneys in Corpus Christi, TX

Driving requires a driver’s full attention, a fundamental truth that underscores the inherent risks associated with the road. This responsibility becomes even more critical when considering the dangers of texting while driving. In an era where digital communication is at our fingertips, the temptation to send text messages while behind the wheel has emerged as a formidable threat to road safety. Texting, particularly prevalent among young people, has become a common yet hazardous distraction for drivers across the age spectrum. The act of texting while driving splits a driver’s focus, diverting essential attention away from the road and onto a mobile device. This split-second diversion can lead to catastrophic outcomes, resulting in accidents that are entirely preventable. Each year, countless accidents are attributed to this dangerous practice, emphasizing the need for drivers to prioritize safety over digital communication while on the move.

The consequences of distracted driving extend far beyond the immediate physical damages. When a driver chooses to text while operating a vehicle, they compromise not only their own safety but also the safety of every other road user. In instances where this reckless behavior leads to an accident, it’s crucial that the distracted driver is held accountable for the harm inflicted upon others. Victims of such negligence often face a long road to recovery, burdened with medical bills, lost wages, and the emotional trauma associated with the accident. It is within this context that the services of an experienced personal injury lawyer become invaluable.

For those who have suffered due to a distracted driver’s negligence in Corpus Christi, the law firm of Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C., offers a beacon of hope. Specializing in cases involving distracted driving accidents, including those caused by texting behind the wheel, our dedicated team of Corpus Christi car accident lawyers provides expert legal counsel. Our approach is rooted in a deep commitment to justice and the well-being of our clients. We understand the profound impact a serious accident can have on an individual’s life, and we are dedicated to ensuring that our clients receive the compensation they rightfully deserve.

At Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C., we recognize that navigating the aftermath of an accident can be overwhelming. Our experienced distracted driving accident attorneys are here to guide you through every step of the legal process. We are committed to holding unsafe drivers accountable for their actions, focusing on securing the compensation our clients need to facilitate their recovery process. This includes compensation for medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost income, as well as compensation for pain and suffering.

Understanding your legal rights is the first step toward achieving justice. Our team is ready to review the details of your accident, offering personalized legal advice tailored to your unique situation. We believe in aggressive representation, advocating tirelessly on behalf of our clients to ensure their voices are heard and their rights are protected.

Remember, the decision to engage in texting while driving is not just a personal risk; it’s a public hazard that endangers lives. In the fight against distracted driving, knowledge, vigilance, and accountability are our greatest tools. By choosing to prioritize safety over momentary distractions, we can collectively contribute to making our roads safer for everyone. And when accidents occur due to the negligence of others, know that Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C. stands ready to support and advocate for the rights of the injured, seeking justice and promoting a culture of safety and responsibility on the roads of Texas and beyond.

When a distracted driver causes an accident by unsafe texting while driving, he or she should be held accountable for the harm caused to others on the road. If you have been injured by a driver who was texting behind the wheel, you should talk to an experienced Corpus Christi personal injury lawyer to understand your legal rights to seek compensation for your injuries.

The Corpus Christi car accident lawyers at Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C. help people who have been injured by drivers who were texting while driving. Our distracted driving accident attorneys provide aggressive legal counsel to people who have been injured through others’ disregard for safety such as sending email or text messages while driving.

Our attorneys are committed to holding unsafe drivers who text while driving fully accountable for the harm they cause and helping our clients in Texas pursue the compensation they need to move forward after a serious accident.

We can review the details of your accident and discuss your legal options for seeking compensation for medical bills and other expenses related to a distracting driving accident. Call us at (361) 882-4357 or contact us online to set up a free consultation.

Is it Illegal to Text and Drive in Texas?

Texting as well as reading or writing email while driving is now illegal in Texas. Drivers typically take their eyes off the road for three seconds or longer when reading texts. That kind of distraction is extremely dangerous while operating a motor vehicle. It creates an enormous risk of accidents and leads to many preventable injuries and deaths.

The Texas legislature passed a ban on texting while driving, effective Sept. 1, 2017, to reduce injuries and prevent fatal accidents.

Important Things to Know When Driving in Texas

• The law bans the use of cell phones and wireless communication devices to send or receive electronic messages including texts and emails while operating a motor vehicle.
• Drivers are prohibited from sending or receiving electronic messages unless stopped and off the road. Under the law, it’s illegal for a driver to send or receive text messages while stopped at a traffic light. However, drivers can still use cell phones for navigation, report an emergency, report illegal activity or report an unsafe truck driver using a number on their work vehicle.
• The penalty for a first offense conviction of texting while driving is punishable by a fine of $99. Subsequent convictions carry a fine of up to $200.
• Under the law, a driver who is texting or emailing and causes a crash that injures or kills someone may be charged with a Class A misdemeanor that carries a fine of up to $4,000 and up to one year in jail, upon conviction.
• There are numerous activities that can distract a driver including eating, talking to passengers, adjusting the radio or navigation system, or grooming. Texting is considered among the most dangerous forms of distraction.
• Typing text messages takes a driver’s hands off the steering wheel, eyes off the road and mind off the task of staying aware of surrounding traffic conditions.
• While texting is illegal, talking on a cell phone is still legal. However, for drivers under age 18, Texas prohibits all cell phone use while driving, except in cases of emergency.
• School bus drivers are prohibited from any use of cell phones while children are aboard the bus.
• In school zones, all drivers are prohibited from texting and using handheld communication devices while driving.

A Ban On Texting While Driving Could Save Lives

Distracted driving has become a hot-button issue in many states across the country. While some states have moved to ban texting and talking on cellular phones without a hands-free device, others have refused to make such provisions law. The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) recently recommended that all states ban texting while driving in an effort to reduce the number of automobile accidents caused by distracted driving.

The GHSA is a nonprofit group representing state highway safety offices. Analyzing nationwide data from over a decade, a recent GHSA report made links between distracted driving behavior, such as texting and cell phone use, with high-risk automobile accidents. In fact, the GHSA encourages all drivers to avoid using all forms of electronic devices while driving regardless of the laws in their state.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

Distracted driving is a significant problem in the U.S. In 2009, it was a factor in 20% of all crashes resulting in injury according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In that same year, distracted driving killed 5,474 people and injured another estimated 448,000. Texas is especially hard hit, as the National Safety Council (NSC) estimates that approximately 3,100 of the more than 5,400 people killed by distracted driving were killed in the Lone Star state.

Distracted driving takes many forms, but at its core, it is any non-driving activity that takes a driver’s attention off the road enough to increase the risk of an accident. Talking, eating, grooming, reading, changing the radio station, and using a navigation system, or cell phones are some of the actions that result in distracted driving.

Cell Phone Use = Drunk Driving?

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says that the use of a hand-held device increases the risk of an injury accident by 4 times. According to the University of Utah, any cell phone use (hands-free or not) delays driver reaction as much as having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent. Everyone agrees that drunk driving kills; distracted driving is not much different.

Driving distracted endangers the lives of everyone on the road. It is a personal choice with serious and far-reaching consequences. Each driver should carefully consider the GHSA’s recommendation to cease using all forms of electronic devices while driving. Doing so could mean the difference between life and death.

What Happens If You’ve Been Injured By A Texting Driver?

Just about anyone can be a victim of a texting while driving accident. But, when it’s you or someone you care about, having a foreknowledge of what to do might save the day. Of course, the erring driver should be held responsible for any damage they might have caused. A distracted driving accident attorney can help make sure that the criminal is forced to pay the full amount.

However, it’s only appropriate to put certain things in perspective to protect yourself, family and loved ones. And should things go awry, these steps may also curb unnecessary difficulties and delays in handling your case.

Above all else, get necessary medical treatment

It’s not negotiable! If you can, go by yourself or get help to get you to any nearby hospital for proper examinations and treatment. Also, the attending physician may need to issue a medical report for reference. This is of the utmost priority.

A Police report is key – secure one

This will capture crucial information like the name, contact and insurance information of the offending driver as well as relevant information about any witness. Plus, if the other driver was ticketed, this report will unravel it, too.

Don’t wait for a plea before you alert the prosecutor of any injuries

Anticipate that the other driver will get a lawyer to plead their course; don’t leave things to chance. Usually, pleas are irreversible once agreed upon, so pay attention to every detail in the process.

Get in touch with witnesses to the accident and opt for written statements when necessary

Evidence is more convincing when it’s in writing. It might not hold much water to just verbally state that a fellow impaired another by texting while driving. Therefore, get this done as fast as you can and, if need be, get professional help.

From experience, witness statements are usually more accurate the earlier you get them to talk. So get to it.

The impact of accidents is seldom predictable, and getting the justice one deserves can be therapeutic in itself, especially in a preventable case such as texting while driving. An experienced car accident attorney can help you get the help you need. Contact Herrman & Herrman now.

Who Pays for My Injuries if I Was Involved in a Car Accident Caused by a Distracted Driver?

If you were injured in a car crash caused by a distracted driver who was texting, you have a legal right to demand compensation from the at-fault driver for your medical bills and other accident-related losses.

You should not be burdened with medical debt from injuries caused by a distracted driver. Texas law provides that the at-fault driver’s insurance company will reimburse the accident victims for their injuries. The distracted driver’s insurance should be legally liable for your injuries. But you will have to prove that the other driver was distracted or otherwise at-fault and caused your injuries.

A texting-while-driving attorney at Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C. can help you pursue a claim against the distracted driver and his or her insurer. Seeking compensation from the at-fault driver generally involves negotiating with his or her auto insurance company

Our attorneys will investigate your accident and gather evidence to show that the other driver was texting while driving. Our attorneys can subpoena the phone records of the motorist who caused your accident and determine whether the motorist was using the phone at the time of the accident and likely a distracted driver. We can present that evidence to the insurance company and develop a strong case for compensation.

Texting and Driving Statistics in Texas

Approximately one in five car accidents in Texas involves a distracted driver. Distracted driving causes hundreds of fatal accidents and thousands of injuries in Texas each year.

The Texas Department of Transportation recorded 540,561 motor vehicle crashes on Texas roadways in 2018. Of the total number, more than 95,500 accidents, or approximately 18 percent, involved a driver using a cell phone, texting, or otherwise distracted.

The distracted driving accidents resulted in 398 traffic deaths and 2,340 serious injuries in Texas. That represents a 12 percent decrease in fatalities compared to 2017.

Researchers at the Texas A&M School of Public Health found that states with a primary texting ban on all drivers realized an 8 percent reduction in emergency room visits resulting from car crashes. The 2019 study was published in the American Journal of Public Health.

The Texas Department of Transportation said that a comparison of the 12-month period before the new law took effect compared to 12 months afterward showed that the number of crashes involving distracted driving in Texas had decreased by 6 percent.

Contact a Texting and Driving Accident Lawyer in Corpus Christi, TX

You may feel overwhelmed if you are struggling to recover from serious injuries in a motor vehicle accident in Corpus Christi. A knowledgeable personal injury attorney, who has experience handling distracted driving accident claims, can be extremely helpful in guiding you through the legal process of pursuing financial recovery.

Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C. can conduct an independent investigation to determine whether texting while driving was a contributing factor to your accident. We will take steps to preserve relevant text messages or emails and identify all the potentially liable parties. Texting while driving is against the law in Texas. Drivers who persist in texting and cause accidents should be made to pay for their negligent behavior. A civil lawsuit can hold a distracted driver financially accountable for the injuries resulting from a preventable accident.

If your injuries leave you unable to work, Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C. can help you demand compensation for lost income as well as medical bills. In addition, we can also seek compensation for non-economic damages such as pain and suffering and loss of qualify of life. Contact our distracted driver accident lawyers in Corpus Christi online today.