Carrollton Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer

You can’t walk down the street in Carrollton these days without seeing someone holding a cell phone. Most people carry that same phone with them when they enter their vehicles and drive to work, school, the store, or some other destination. Unfortunately, this increases the risk of distracted driving, which is illegal. If you were hurt in an accident caused by distracted driving, it’s time to speak with a Carrollton distracted driving accident lawyer for help.

If you did not cause your accident, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your costs. But you will have to file a claim to pursue that financial recovery. Our Dallas car accident lawyers can help. We have the experience to help you with every aspect of your case, and we do not charge you a fee unless you obtain compensation.

To schedule a FREE consultation and get matched with the best lawyer for you, call us at (469) 998-4069 or contact us online.

Why Distracted Driving is So Dangerous

There are three main ways distracted driving makes you less safe on the road. When you drive with distractions, you are removing the following from your driving task:

Your hands
Your eyes
And/or your mind

Texting while driving is especially dangerous because it impacts all three of the above. Even a few seconds of less attention to the road can be hazardous or even fatal. Vehicles move at such a fast rate that it takes very little time to cover a lot of ground—and an accident can happen quickly.

When someone drives while distracted, even if they do not intend to cause harm, they are being negligent. Distracted driving puts the driver and everyone else on the road in harm’s way—and every driver in Texas has a duty to exercise reasonable care while driving.

If you were injured in an accident because of a driver who was distracted, they may be liable for all of your damages. Talk to an experienced distracted driving lawyer to know your legal options and begin building a case to pursue compensation. Call (469) 998-4069 to get a FREE consultation with one of our trusted car accident lawyers today.

Examples of Distracted Driving in Carrollton

Distracted driving can take many different forms. As mentioned above, any action that takes your hands, mind, or eyes off of the road can be considered distracted driving in Carrollton.

Examples of distracted driving include:

Texting while driving
Checking email, checking an app, or doing anything else on your phone while driving
Eating or drinking while driving
Putting on or checking makeup while driving
Actively using a GPS system while driving
Talking to passengers while driving or
Managing children or pets in the car while driving

When filing your car accident claim, you will need to determine how the other driver was distracted and how that distraction led to your accident. For example, maybe they were texting and driving, ran a red light because they were looking at their phone, and collided with your vehicle at an intersection.

You and your lawyer will likely need to do some investigation to gather evidence of the driver’s texting while driving and other information. Thankfully, an experienced attorney will know exactly where to start after viewing the details of your case.

Texas Laws on Driving While Distracted

According to the Texas Department of Transportation (DOT), one out of every five accidents involves driver distraction. That’s why the state of Texas takes distracted driving seriously.

In 2017, Texas passed House Bill 62 that made it illegal to use a cell phone to text, write or read email, or do any other form of electronic messaging while driving a motor vehicle. This stands for all drivers throughout the state—including in Carrollton.

Even drivers who utilize a hands-free device while driving are at higher risk of getting into an accident compared to drivers who aren’t using a phone. Texas drivers should know to not use their phones to text or do other similar actions while driving. If a driver does drive while distracted and it causes your accident, they have clearly been negligent, and this opens up the door for you to seek compensation.

Damages You Can Claim from a Distracted Driving Accident

Before filing your injury claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company, you will need to know the amount of compensation you deserve. This requires calculating your total damages based on your losses. It’s best to have a lawyer do this for you, as they will know to consider all areas of your life that the accident has impacted.

There are two main types of damages in a car accident case:

Economic, or special, damages and
Non-economic, or general, damages

Economic Damages

Economic damages are those that have a clear dollar amount, such as:

Medical bills
Medication costs
Lost wages and
Vehicle damages

Although these damages are fairly straightforward and easy to demonstrate, you will still need to accurately calculate them and consider all costs. If you can, it’s best to wait until you have reached maximum medical improvement (MMI) in your treatment. This is the point at which you have recovered as much as you can with medical intervention.

Once you have reached MMI, you can consider past, current, and future medical costs you have. You’ll also want to consider all lost wages and other sources of income that were lost because of the accident. If your vehicle was damaged or totaled, you’ll need to know the total costs of repairing or replacing it.

Your lawyer can help you determine the value of your economic damages and gather proof of each.

Non-Economic Damages

Unlike medical costs and lost wages, non-economic damages cannot be demonstrated through a set dollar value. These damages refer to things like:

Physical and emotional pain and suffering
Loss of enjoyment of life
Mental anguish
Fear or embarrassment
Scarring or disfigurement

You should definitely consult with a lawyer when it comes to calculating non-economic damages. Your attorney will use their own formulas to come up with a compensation amount that sufficiently accounts for your non-economic damages.

Get a Free Consultation with a Carrollton Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer Today

Don’t wait to get the legal help you deserve after an accident involving distracted driving. The sooner you can get started, the better. Our car accident lawyers are here to help you build a strong claim and seek the damages you need to recover.

Call us today at (469) 998-4069 or contact us online to get a FREE consultation. We’ll find the best lawyer for your situation and prepare to fight for your rights.