Dallas Distracted Driving Accident Attorneys
Fighting For Distracted Driving Accident Victims in Texas
Distracted driving is a dangerous epidemic on America’s roadways, defined as any activity that diverts attention from driving. Even a glance at a text on your cell phone can be enough to negatively impact your life or that of your passengers or others on the road.
Distracted driving significantly increases the risk of causing a collision; these accidents can occur in a split second, turning your driving into a life-threatening emergency.
If you’ve been involved in a car accident with a distracted driver and suffered injuries, you are generally eligible for compensation in a personal injury claim. At Colin B. Bober and Associates, we leave no stone unturned in crafting effective claims for our clients. We understand the consequences you may face after such accidents, ranging from temporary to permanent disability, medical costs, loss of income, pain and suffering, and more.
Reserve a free case evaluation with our Dallas distracted driving accident attorney at our firm by contacting us at (214) 974-4180.
Common Distracted Driving Behaviors
As mentioned above, distracted driving is any behavior that deflects attention from the task of driving.
These behaviors can include:
- Texting and using a smartphone
- Eating and drinking
- Talking to passengers, handling children or pets
- Adjusting the radio, entertainment, or navigation system
- Grooming or applying makeup
- Reading, including maps and navigation aids
- Watching videos or using social media
Common Injuries in Distracted Driving Accidents
Common injuries may include:
- Whiplash and Neck Injuries: One of the most frequent injuries from rear-end collisions caused by distracted drivers is whiplash. This injury often occurs when the head is suddenly jerked back and forth, damaging the soft tissues in the neck. While whiplash may seem minor at first, it can lead to chronic pain, stiffness, and long-term complications.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Distracted driving accidents can lead to traumatic brain injuries, especially in high-speed collisions or situations where the victim strikes their head against a hard surface. TBIs can vary from concussions to more serious brain damage, resulting in memory loss, cognitive impairments, mood changes, and a host of other life-altering symptoms.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: These injuries can result in partial or full paralysis, depending on the severity and location of the damage. Victims with spinal cord injuries may face lifelong medical care, rehabilitation, and assistive devices to cope with their condition.
- Fractures and Broken Bones: The force of a distracted driving accident can easily lead to broken bones. Common fractures include those of the arms, legs, ribs, and facial bones. These injuries often demand surgery and extensive rehabilitation, and in some cases, they can result in permanent disability.
- Internal Injuries: Internal injuries, like damage to the organs, internal bleeding, and ruptured blood vessels, may not be immediately apparent after an accident. These injuries can be life-threatening and demand emergency medical attention. Victims may suffer long-term health consequences if internal injuries are not treated promptly.
- Emotional Trauma and PTSD: Beyond physical injuries, victims of distracted driving accidents can also suffer from emotional trauma. Post-traumatic stress disorder is common, especially if the accident was particularly violent or life-threatening. Emotional trauma can affect the victim's ability to return to normal life, leading to anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges.
What Damages Could Be Recovered in a Distracted Driving Accident Claim?
Potential damages may include the following:
Medical Expenses: Medical expenses are often one of the most substantial costs following a distracted driving accident. Compensation may cover:
- Emergency medical treatment
- Hospitalization
- Surgeries
- Prescription medications
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
Assistive devices, such as wheelchairs or braces Future medical costs can also be included in your claim if you require ongoing care due to your injuries.
- Lost Wages and Loss of Earning Capacity: If your injuries prevent you from returning to work, either temporarily or permanently, you could be qualified to compensation for lost earnings. If your ability to earn a living has been compromised, either through reduced working hours or an inability to return to your previous occupation, you may also seek damages for loss of earning capacity.
- Pain and Suffering: Pain and suffering damages are intended to compensate you for the physical discomfort, emotional despair, and loss of enjoyment of life resulting from the accident. These damages are more subjective and can range widely depending on the severity of your injuries and how they impact your daily life.
- Property Damage: In addition to personal injuries, you may also be entitled to compensation for property damage, such as the restoration or replacement of your vehicle and other personal belongings that were damaged in the accident.
- Loss of Consortium: If the accident has impacted your relationship with your partner or family, you could be qualified for loss of consortium damages. This type of compensation addresses the loss of companionship, emotional support, and intimacy caused by your injuries.
- Punitive Damages: In instances where the distracted driver's behavior was especially reckless or egregious, punitive damages could be granted. Punitive damages are designed to penalize the at-fault driver and prevent similar conduct in the future.
How Dangerous is Distracted Driving?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving claimed 3,522 lives in 2021. The American Public Health Association has published research suggesting that distracted driving accident fatalities have increased with the surge of texting in the U.S. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has reported that traffic crash risk is two to six times higher when drivers are distracted by cellphone usage than when they are not. This underscores the impact of smartphone use while driving on public safety.
What makes these types of accidents so dangerous is that the offending driver does not have time to react in any way, so the victim will always get the full force of the collision. Even at slower speeds, car crash victims can sustain severe injuries from whiplash to concussions, fractures, organ damage, brain injuries, and more.
These accidents can leave you and your family with spiraling medical costs, loss of income, and physical and emotional trauma that can last for weeks, months, or even years. Complicating this is that it’s often difficult to prove a person was driving distracted and thus be held accountable. These circumstances can quickly become financially dire for you and your family.
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What to Do After a Distracted Driver Accident in Texas
Much like with other accidents, documentation is essential. However, with a distracted driver accident, you will need definite proof of the other driver’s distracted behavior.
Before reaching out to a personal injury lawyer, follow these steps:
- Take photos of the accident scene (lack of tire tracks from braking is an excellent way to show a driver was distracted)
- Take photos of you or your passenger’s injuries
- Collect the information of all drivers involved
- Collect witness testimonials, especially from people who can confirm that the driver was distracted during the accident.
What Clients are Saying
REviews & TEstimonials
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Colin Bober is fantastic and always has his client’s best interests at the center of everything he does. Colin is relentless when negotiating with the insurance company.
- Lauren -
He provides the level of service every client deserves. Colin welcomes the challenges from insurance companies...and he fights for the maximum compensation for the pain and injuries his clients sustain due to the negligence of another.
- Former Client -
I trust Colin to the fullest extent, he will forever be my go-to attorney if I ever needed one again.
- Former Client -
I hired Colin to represent me. He made quick work and the issues were resolved quickly. I have full confidence in his abilities and would highly recommend him!
- Jake -
Colin made our first experience hiring a lawyer a breeze. He answered all of our questions and concerns and made sure we never felt lost or helpless during this process.
- Nina
Why Should You Hire a Personal Injury Firm After an Accident?
Proving that a driver was distracted during an accident can be challenging. Few drivers are willing to admit that they were not watching the road, so gaining maximum compensation from insurance companies in these instances is difficult. Proof is necessary; that’s where an experienced personal injury lawyer can step in.
At Colin B. Bober and Associates, our seasoned lawyers can use your documentation to prove that you deserve maximum compensation for your injuries and losses.
Should your case become a lawsuit that goes to court, we can help prove your stance via:
- Stringent review of the accident police report and photographs
- Subpoenaed phone records to prove the driver was texting/talking at the time of the accident
- Hiring a crash expert to analyze the accident and testify for you in court
At our firm, the law is our code. We win cases with verifiable evidence and years of experience. If you or a loved one was involved in a distracted driver accident, we are ready to help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
Contact us at (214) 974-4180 to schedule your free consultation with a member of our Dallas distracted driving accident lawyer today.