Distracted Driving
In San Antonio, distracted driving is a serious problem. It is among the leading causes of auto accidents, and each year far too many people suffer traumatic injuries and lose their lives in collisions that could have easily been avoided. If you have been injured or lost a loved one and you suspect that distracted driving may be to blame, we can quickly investigate the cause of the accident, and attorney Ronald A. Ramos can make sure you receive the compensation you deserve.
San Antonio, TX Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer
Mr. Ramos brings more than 30 years of legal experience to representing individuals and families in personal injury and wrongful death cases involving:
Talking and Driving Accidents
Talking on the phone has been shown to significantly increase a driver’s likelihood of causing an accident. This is true for both handheld and hands-free calling. From cell phone records to witness testimony and forensic evidence at the scene of the crash, we will make sure we have the evidence needed to maximize your financial recovery.
Texting and Driving Accidents
Texting behind the wheel is among the most-common forms of driving distractions – and it is also among the most dangerous. While the Texas legislature recently enacted a ban on texting behind the wheel, we unfortunately know that many, many people will continue to text and drive.
Social Media Behind the Wheel
Social media use has quickly grown into a leading cause of distracted driving accidents as well. Drivers who are reading status updates are not attuned to their surroundings, and those who are typing status updates on Facebook, taking selfies for Instagram, and posting to other social media apps are dangers to themselves and all other motorists on the road.
Other Driving Distractions
In addition to phone-related distractions, there are numerous other types of driving distractions that can lead to costly accidents. If you or your loved one suffered traumatic injuries in an accident caused by a driver who was eating, drinking, reading, grooming, or otherwise distracted, our firm can help you recover just compensation for your accident-related losses.
Distracted Driving Accident Statistics
Each year, thousands of Texans are injured in distracted driving accidents. Tragically, hundreds are killed. On a national scale, thousands of people are injured and lose loved ones in distracted driving accidents every single day. These figures are unacceptable, and they highlight the importance of taking legal action to aid in the ongoing fight against distracted driving. Learn more about the scale of our nation’s distracted driving problem: Distracted Driving Accident Statistics.
Schedule Your Free Initial Consultation Today
If you are the victim of a distracted driving accident, it is important that you speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible. You may be entitled to significant financial compensation, but the insurance companies are not going to pay without a fight. Attorney Ronald A. Ramos can stand up for your rights; and, if necessary, he can take the distracted driver’s insurance company to court. For more information, please call (210) 308-8811 or request a free consultation online today.
Types of Distracted Driving
Distracted driving falls into three categories recognized by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Visual distractions take your eyes off the road, manual distractions take your hands off the wheel, and cognitive distractions take your mind off driving. Texting while driving is especially dangerous because it involves all three types of distraction simultaneously.
Talking on the phone while driving is another major cause of distracted driving crashes in San Antonio. Even hands-free devices create cognitive distraction that slows reaction times. Other common distractions include eating, adjusting GPS or radio controls, grooming, and interacting with passengers. Any activity that diverts attention from the road increases the risk of a serious accident.
Texas Distracted Driving Laws
Texas Transportation Code Section 545.4251 prohibits all drivers from using a portable wireless communication device to read, write, or send electronic messages while operating a motor vehicle. This statewide texting ban applies to all drivers, and violations carry fines starting at 25 dollars for a first offense and up to 200 dollars for subsequent offenses.
Many Texas cities, including San Antonio, have enacted stricter local ordinances that ban all handheld cell phone use while driving. If a distracted driver causes an accident that results in serious bodily injury or death, they face enhanced criminal penalties. For civil claims, evidence that a driver was distracted at the time of the crash is powerful proof of negligence.
Proving Distracted Driving Caused Your Accident
Establishing that the other driver was distracted requires gathering key evidence quickly. Cell phone records can show whether the driver was texting, calling, or using apps at the time of the crash. Witness statements from passengers or bystanders often confirm distracted behavior. Police reports may note observations about the at-fault driver being on their phone or otherwise inattentive.
Your attorney can subpoena phone records and app usage data during litigation. In-vehicle event data recorders and dashcam footage may also reveal that the distracted driver failed to brake or swerve before impact. Common accident types caused by distracted drivers include rear-end collisions, side-impact crashes, and sideswipe accidents.
Compensation for Distracted Driving Accident Injuries
Victims of distracted driving accidents can recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. If the distracted driver’s behavior was particularly reckless, such as watching videos while driving on the highway, Texas courts may award punitive damages to punish the conduct and deter others.
The car accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Ronald A. Ramos understand how to investigate and prove distracted driving claims. We use cell phone records, accident reconstruction experts, and medical evidence to build compelling cases for our clients. Contact us today for a free consultation about your distracted driving accident case.
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