Grand Prairie Texting While Driving Lawyer
The city of Grand Prairie enacted its texting and driving law before the state of Texas made texting and driving illegal statewide. Since April of 2017, drivers in the city limits have been prohibited from manually using their cell phones to text someone while they’re driving. Cell phone use is completely banned in school zones. Hands-free and voice-activated texting and calling is still permitted. The punishment for texting and driving is relatively minimal, with a fine of up to $200. So let’s face it. Even though it’s illegal, a lot of people still do it.
If you’ve been injured in an accident with a distracted driver, our Grand Prairie texting and driving lawyers can help you get the compensation you deserve. We have a record of standing up to the insurance companies and winning.
Texas Texting and Driving Accident Statistics
According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) 2017 Crash Statistics Report, there were 965 reported accidents where texting and driving was the main contributing factor to the accident. Sadly, 24 of those texting and driving crashes involved one or more fatalities, while 38 crashes resulted in serious injuries.
As if that’s no enough, there were also more than 4000 other accidents involving hands-on cell phone use for one reason or another. And the statistics show you’re about twice as likely to be involved in a texting and driving crash in an urban area like Grand Prairie and the Dallas-Fort Worth area than you are in a rural area.
What To Do If You’ve Been Injured in An Accident
You may be disoriented, frightened and in pain after a car accident, but keeping a clear head can help everyone involved. Even if you don’t think you’ve been injured, it’s a good idea to:
- Call 911 and give them details about the crash. Report any known injuries
- Get checked out by medical personnel at the scene or at the hospital. Do not refuse treatment at the scene — this is the best way to document an injury you sustained as a result of the crash
- Ask someone to take photos and videos of the accident scene, including the vehicles involved and your injuries
- Get names and phone numbers of any witnesses
- Contact a car accident lawyer
If you’re wondering why you should contact a lawyer if you don’t think the accident was your fault, here’s why. Even if police charge the other driver in the accident, you still need legal advice, because there are a lot of legal implications as far as getting making an insurance claim and fighting the insurance company if they try to reduce or deny your claim. The insurance company may offer you a settlement right away, even while you are still in the hospital. Don’t accept any settlement or sign any papers without speaking to a lawyer first. You are well within your rights to decline. They may also ask you a bunch of questions, and get you to admit you could be partially at fault for the accident. You don’t have to speak with them without a lawyer present. Our texting and driving car accident lawyers will represent you in matters with the insurance companies so you can focus on your recovery. We know all of their strategies, and we will protect your interests.
What a Grand Prairie Texting and Driving Lawyer Can Do For You
Your texting and driving lawyer is with you from the very beginning. We can help you file a detailed and thorough insurance claim, and we will help you if the insurance company is trying to reduce your claim or deny it altogether. Our Grand Prairie texting and driving accident lawyers have the legal know-how and resources to go way beyond anything you can do as a private individual. Some of this includes:
- Reviewing the police report with a trained eye for discrepancies or missing information
- Questioning witnesses
- Hiring medical and forensic experts
- Conducting an accident reconstruction
- Getting cell phone records for the other driver
- And more
Bottom line is, you need a lawyer to level the playing field. If you or a loved one was seriously injured, you can bet the other driver has a lawyer. And insurance companies have a team of lawyers.
Negotiating a Settlement Versus Suing for Damages
Our texting and driving lawyers have a reputation for negotiating generous settlements with insurance companies. That’s because we do our homework, and present a solid case on your behalf. But sometimes the insurance company balks at a settlement amount or tries to blame you for the accident, and we need to take your case to court. We prepare your case for court even as we are negotiating a settlement.
The exact specifics of your case and the extent of your injuries will determine the sorts of compensation you can expect, and additional damages you might be awarded. These include:
- Current and future medical costs
- The cost to make repairs or replace your vehicle if it was totaled
- Payment of lost wages and payment for future loss of income if you are disabled due to the accident
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Disfigurement
- Punitive damages
And if a spouse, child or parent died as the result of a distracted driver, our condolences. We realize no amount of money can compensate you for your loss. But we can work with you to hold the driver responsible with a wrongful death suit.
Contact One of Our Grand Prairie Texting and Driving Lawyers
If you’ve been injured in a texting and driving accident, consulting with one of our Grand Prairie texting and driving accident lawyers is a smart decision. Going up against the insurance companies alone puts you at a disadvantage. Our Grand Prairie texting and driving law firm has the resources and experience you need to get the compensation you deserve. Call us today at 469-998-4069 or use our contact form to schedule a free case evaluation.
