Distracted driving car accidents in Houston are all too common. Not all collisions are avoidable, but operating a vehicle without the proper focus and attention dramatically increases the chances of a crash occurring. Unfortunately, many drivers believe they are the exception to this rule and continue to put others at risk by taking their focus away from the road.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a distracted driver, you should not have to be the one to bear the costs. From medical expenses to vehicle repairs, if the wreck was not your responsibility, the expenses it caused should not be either. A dedicated accident attorney may be able to help you hold the distracted driver financially and legally responsible for your losses.
Causes of Distracted Driving
A distraction can involve any activity that takes the driver’s eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, or mind off the task of driving. Common examples of distractions to drivers include:
- Using the phone, including texting, making a call, or checking social media
- Using a GPS system
- Adjusting the radio, air conditioning, or other item on the vehicle’s control panel
- Eating or drinking
- Personal grooming, such as applying make-up or fixing hair
- Talking to other passengers in the car
- Becoming distracted by another crash on the road
Distracted driving is not always easy to prove: many of the above actions are subtle, and the driver is unlikely to admit to them of their own accord. A Houston attorney could help prove distracted driving was the primary cause of a car crash by handling the driver’s deposition, speaking with other eyewitnesses, and, if necessary, working with an accident reconstructionist.
Statute of Limitations for Claims Against Distracted Drivers
If a person is injured in Houston because of a distracted driver’s reckless or careless actions, they are entitled to compensation for their injuries. However, it is important to note that there are deadlines for enforcing this right. Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003 establishes what is known as a “statute of limitations;” this law provides that any personal injury lawsuit must be filed within two years of the date of the initial accident. If a claim is filed late, the injured person may be barred from ever recovering compensation for that injury.
Even if someone is unsure of whether a lawsuit is necessary, it is best to speak to a Houston attorney as soon after a distracted driving crash as possible. The more time is available before the deadline, the more time an attorney will have to investigate the wreck and compile the strongest possible case. There will also be more time to effectively negotiate with the insurance companies involved, potentially avoiding the need for a lawsuit altogether.
Speak To a Houston Attorney About Distracted Driving Car Collisions
Managing the logistics of recovering from any car wreck can be overwhelming. An attorney could help by managing your medical records and insurance claims, tracking the expenses you incur because of the wreck, and communicating with the other people involved. All of this may help establish and protect your right to be compensated for your injuries while also allowing you to focus on your physical recovery.
Schedule an initial consultation with a lawyer that specializes in handling distracted driving car accidents in Houston to learn more about how to recover your losses.