Texting and Driving Accidents

Texas Laws for Texting and Driving

In the state of Texas, texting and driving is an illegal act that can not only result in a driver getting a ticket, but it may also lead to a tragic and potentially fatal accident. The prevalence of texting in our society has increased dramatically over the past few years. Distracted driving is the leading cause of accidents on our roadways.

Statistics for Texting and Driving

  • According to AAA, 46% of teens surveyed admit to texting while driving
  • When a driver is texting behind the wheel, the likelihood of a car accident increases by 26%
  • The average text takes approximately 4.6 seconds to write, meaning the driver will have traveled the length of a football field before looking up from their phone

At The León Law Firm, P.C. we know the negative impact of being involved in a car accident. The injuries suffered can be very serious and have long lasting effects. Wrongful death resulting from car accidents is also prevalent in this state because of these drivers’ foolish mistakes. Per the latest statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), our state had more traffic fatalities than any other in the US. A Sugar Land personal injury lawyer should be retained if you or a loved one was the victim of a car accident due to another texting while driving.

Why is texting behind the wheel so dangerous?

In order to fully control a motor vehicle, a driver needs three things:

  • Cognitive focus
  • Manual focus
  • Visual focus

However, when a driver fails to neglect one of these three crucial factors to safe driving, they are increasing their chance of causing an accident. In fact, when a driver texts, they are neglecting each of these primary factors of concentration for a driver, meaning the likelihood of an accident is even more so. Cognitive focus simply means that the driver is mentally “there” when driving the car. When a person is texting, it means their mind and focus is no longer on the road, but rather on a small device in their hand.

Next, manual focus means that the driver no longer has both hands on the wheel of the car. When a driver is texting it means that they are not only pulling their min off of the road, but they are using at least one or two hands in order to hold their phone and type. Finally, when a driver is texting they are not visually focusing on the road, which is the most dangerous one of the three. In just a split second an accident may occur, and the results could be fatal.

Protecting Your Rights

The attorneys at our firm are passionate about seeing to it that justice is served for our clients. Rights need to be fought for and protected. There is nothing more important than the health and welfare of your family and we are willing to use our experience to your benefit. Aggressive representation for your personal injury is required to see to it that you are fairly compensated.

With over 16 years of experience in the field of personal injury, we understand the actions that are necessary in order to obtain success for our clients. Allow us the opportunity to protect your rights and see to it that those responsible for your injury are held accountable for their actions.

If you or a loved one were injured in a motor vehicle accident caused by a texting driver,
contact The León Law Firm, P.C. today!