Rowlett Texting While Driving Accident Lawyer
In the modern world, cell phones are virtually everywhere. While the revolution that text messaging has made to communication is significant, texting while driving can lead to extremely devastating accidents with serious injuries. With the passage of House Bill 62 in 2017, texting while driving is now a crime in Texas. The push against this form on distracted driving stems from the seriousness of the injuries that can occur when a driver is not paying attention to the road. Common injuries in these cases include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
- Broken bones
- Lost limbs
- Paralysis
At our firm, a Dallas car accident law firm, we work hard to get injured victims the compensation they need from drivers who chose to text and put their lives at risk. Our Rowlett texting and driving accident lawyers have extensive experience handling a wide range of personal injury claims and can help you get justice as you work to restart your life after this tragedy.
Rowlett Attorneys Can Help Me with Court Procedures
It is always best to hire a knowledgeable, local law firm like our firm, a Dallas car accident law firm, to help with local court cases. Not only will they have more experience with local judges and defense attorneys, but they may have a better understanding of the types of arguments and evidence that typically sways local juries. Our Rowlett texting and driving accident attorneys have worked in the local area for years and have help clients with everything from rear-end car crashes to complex litigation involving rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft. Plus, we have a solid grasp on the rules of the courtroom and can help you adhere to the standards.
Filing My Claim on Time
For starters, an important aspect of a local texting and driving case is understanding the statute of limitations. Throughout Texas, this deadline is set at two years from the date of the accident by Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §16.003. In other words, you must file your claim within two years of being injured or risk losing the legal right to pursue compensation from the at-fault driver.
Understanding Proportionate Responsibility
Section 33.001 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code defines the concept of proportionate responsibility as it is used in car accident claims. Essentially, this theory of fault boils down to two main components:
- You may file a claim for compensation if you are no more than 50% at fault for the accident
- Your total compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault
Under this rule, a person who is shown to have 10% of the responsibility for the accident in which they were injured will see their total compensation lessened by 10%, as well. By using evidence like cell phone records to show that the opposing driver was texting while driving, our attorneys in Rowlett may be able to reduce your percentage of the blame and increase the other driver’s share of the blame, thus increasing your total compensation package.
Compensation I May Receive
Texting while driving accidents, just like drinking and driving accidents, are somewhat unique. Like all other personal injury claims, they can include both economic damages and non-economic damages as defined below:
- Economic Damages: financial harms like lost wages and medical bills
- Non-economic Damages: non-financial harms like pain and suffering or loss of enjoyment in life
However, these claims also may be eligible for an extra category of compensation: exemplary damages. Awarded by the jury when a driver is found to have acted with reckless abandon and a complete disregard for the safety of others, these punitive damages serve as a form of punishment and a deterrent for the same behavior in the future. If our attorneys can show that the driver who harmed you was texting and driving egregiously, the jury may decide to award this extra compensation.
I Need a Law Firm that Cares
The Rowlett texting and driving accident attorneys at our firm, a Dallas car accident law firm, have worked with a wide range of personal injury cases and have come across many significant injuries. We even handle bicycle accidents, which often have serious injuries due to the lack of protection offered by a bike.
We understand that your injuries may take a long time to heal, that your immediate life and the trajectory of the future are both impacted by such injuries, and that recovering after a significant car wreck can be stressful on you and your family. For that reason, we provide our prospective clients with a FREE consultation to discuss the viability of your claim. We also do not collect a fee unless we win you the compensation you need.
Talk to our firm, a Dallas car accident law firm, Today
If you are injured in a Rowlett texting and driving accident, get in touch with us today. Fill out the form on our contact page, or call 469-998-4069 to set up your consultation. We look forward to serving you and helping you seek justice during this difficult time.
