Texting while driving is a form of distracted driving, and generally one of the most dangerous. It causes thousands of car accidents in Texas each year. When drivers look down at their phones to send or read messages, they may take their eyes off the road for the length of a football field or more, creating the risk of serious rear-end collisions and other crashes.
If you were injured in a crash caused by a driver who was texting behind the wheel, you may have a car accident claim against the distracted driver. Partnering with a car accident lawyer in Austin can help protect your rights.
What Is a Texting While Driving Accident?
A texting while driving accident occurs when a driver causes a crash due to using their phone to send or read messages. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), texting involves all three distraction types — visual, manual, and cognitive distraction — at the same time.
With texting and driving, the driver:
- Takes their eyes off the road
- Removes at least one hand from the steering wheel
- Focuses their attention on their phone instead of traffic
That makes it extremely dangerous and more likely to prevent a driver from noticing stopped vehicles, traffic signals, or pedestrians. A dedicated car accident attorney can help hold these distracted drivers accountable.
Injuries and Harm Caused by Texting While Driving Accidents
Texting while driving accidents often occur at full speed because distracted drivers fail to brake or react in time to avoid a collision. As a result, victims may suffer the most serious injuries that can happen in car accidents, such as:
- Whiplash and other neck injuries
- Soft-tissue injuries and nerve damage
- Broken bones
- Injuries to the spinal cord
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
Importantly, texting while driving is illegal in Texas and frequently serves as strong evidence of negligence in accident claims related to these and other injuries. An experienced Austin accident lawyer understands how to leverage these state law violations to strengthen your claim.
What Are My Rights After a Texting While Driving Accident?
If a driver caused your accident while texting, you may have the right to pursue compensation through a personal injury claim. Evidence such as phone records, witness statements, and accident reports may help establish that the driver was distracted at the time of the crash and that it would not have happened but for texting and driving.
Victims of distracted driving accidents may be able to recover compensation for:
- Medical and healthcare expenses
- Future medical bills
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional harm
An experienced car accident attorney in Austin can help you prove that texting and driving caused your accident and fight to obtain compensation for all your financial and personal losses related to the crash.
If you were injured in a texting while driving accident, contact Dow Law Firm today at (512) 240-9951 to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer for help.