Texting & Driving

Cellphones and text messaging have made communication convenient and efficient. However, distracted driving, and particularly texting and driving, has become a serious national epidemic and is one of the most common causes of motor vehicle accidents. Young people are especially known for texting and driving.

A group called The Local Project reports that over 180 billion text messages are sent in the United States each month. Sending or receiving a text message diverts a driver’s attention from the road for approximately 4.6 seconds. This may not sound like much, but it is the equivalent of driving the length of an entire football field at 55 miles per hour while blindfolded.

An individual who suffers injuries because someone else was texting and driving is entitled to compensation for his or her injuries.

Our car accident attorneys are here to help you with your claim against a distracted driver. Call us toll-free or send us an email to speak with an experienced lawyer.

Texting And Driving Is Abnormally Dangerous

The NHTSA defines distracted driving as any activity that takes a driver’s attention away from the main task of driving. Texting and driving is one of the most significant distractions and a leading cause of car accidents because it takes away nearly all of a driver’s cognitive abilities.

Reading and sending a text impairs visual perception and requires mental energy that should be completely focused on the road. Drivers who engage in these activities increase their risk of getting into an accident by three times. More on this website

In the short amount of time it takes to send or receive a text, a driver can cause a variety of accidents, such as a rear-end crash.

Teenagers And Text Messaging

Teenagers are generally inexperienced drivers. Unfortunately, they are also the most likely to participate in texting and driving. Teenagers represent the highest proportion of drivers who are distracted at any given moment.

A quarter of teenagers in a recent study reported that they reply to text messages at least once or more every time they drive.

The NHTSA also reports that 21 percent of the drivers involved in fatal car accidents involving drivers between the ages of 15 and 19 admitted to being distracted by the use of a cellphone.

Texas Text Messaging Laws

Texas does impose a ban on text messaging for all drivers. The penalty for violating Texas’ texting and driving law is a ticket and a fine. Drivers will pay $99 for a first offense and $200 for each subsequent offense. Some cities in Texas have passed their own ordinances banning cellphone use or imposing higher fines on offenders. The penalty for causing serious injury or death while texting and driving is up to $4,000 in fines against the driver. Injuries from an accident caused by text messaging frequently result in extremely large medical bills and lengthy rehabilitation for injured individuals.

Texting And Driving Is Negligent Behavior

A driver who causes an accident by engaging in texting and driving is likely to be considered negligent.

If a driver is shown to be negligent, compensation is available to cover the cost of medical expenses and lost wages. Injuries from a car accident also typically result in pain and suffering, and a negligent driver may be required to compensate a victim for these costs as well.

If you or a family member has been hurt or if you’ve lost a loved one because of a negligent driver, email us or call toll-free to talk with one of our experienced car accident lawyers.

This blog was posted by Ford and Laurel Attorneys Laredo, Texas