If someone else on the road allows themselves to become distracted while driving, it significantly increases your risk of an accident even though you may be following all of the appropriate traffic laws. Unfortunately, thousands of collisions like this happen every year around Texas that cause serious harm.
Distracted driving car accidents in Houston can serve as the basis for substantial civil recovery, but getting the best result out of your unique claim can be challenging to manage alone. If you want to minimize stress and maximize available compensation after this trying event, there is no substitute for help from a capable car accident lawyer who has a track record of positive results from cases just like yours. Contact Roberts Markland LLP today to learn more.
As of 2017, it is illegal throughout Texas for anyone to read, write, or send text messages through a smartphone or any other mobile communications device while driving. Additionally, drivers under 18 and individuals of any age in school zones cannot use handheld devices for any reason while driving. Similarly, school bus drivers cannot use cell phones while they have children aboard their vehicles. Further restrictions may apply in some regions of the state based on local and city ordinances.
Outside of this texting while driving law, no state statute specifically prohibits other forms of distracted driving, such as:
If your auto collision in Houston resulted from another person driving while distracted, you could still potentially hold them liable for your losses regardless of what the distraction was.
In the context of auto accident claims, negligence is reckless or careless behavior in violation of a duty to act responsibly, which in turn directly causes an otherwise avoidable accident. This can take the form of an overtly illegal action or simple carelessness in the wrong place at the wrong time. This means someone who causes a wreck and injures someone else through distracted driving can still bear responsibility for the incident even if they were not texting while driving or were not cited for any specific traffic offense.
However, it can be significantly more challenging to establish that someone was driving distracted prior to a car crash in Houston without a police report to back up that claim. Evidence that could be important to showing this could include:
This information can be incredibly difficult to obtain without the help of qualified legal counsel. Having a trusted attorney in your corner could provide you with the support and guidance necessary to pursue the best possible legal outcome in your circumstances.
Distracted driving is among the most common causes of auto accidents in Texas, and many of those wrecks result in lasting harm to the people involved. Fortunately, distraction behind the wheel can serve as grounds for civil claims, through which you could potentially recover for every form of harm you experience because of your incident.
After a distracted driving car accident in Houston, seeking help from seasoned legal counsel should be a top priority. Call Roberts Markland LLP today to schedule a consultation to get started.
