According to the Texas Department of Transportation, one in six car crashes are caused by distracted drivers. In 2023 alone, these crashes led to almost 400 deaths and 2,800 serious injuries. If you have been injured by a distracted driver in Texas, you are probably already aware of how dangerous these accidents can be. Perhaps you lost a loved one to a fatal accident caused by someone texting and driving. Whatever the case may be, statistics only provide basic insights into this problem – and they cannot help cover your damages. These damages might include medical expenses, missed wages, emotional distress, and much more.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a distracted driver, contact Hernandez Law Firm today at (936) 256-3115 to discuss your legal options and learn how we can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Why is Distracted Driving So Dangerous?
Distracted driving is dangerous for one simple reason: It takes your eyes off the road. Even if you take your eyes off the road for a few seconds, this could be enough to cause a crash. Although this might seem like an over-exaggeration, the physics behind this assertion do not lie. Even if you take your eyes off the road for a few seconds, you are essentially “flying blind” for dozens or even hundreds of feet.
Consider the average amount of time that it takes to type a text. Even if you are extremely fast, you probably need about four or five seconds to type out your response and hit send. Within these five seconds, you might end up traveling the length of a football field – especially if you are on the highway. In other words, you are essentially driving your vehicle with your eyes closed during those four or five seconds.
Distracted driving is even more dangerous when you consider the fact that most people need two hands to type effectively. At the very least, you will need to take your hands off the wheel to write your text. Driving with one hand on the wheel might not be a big deal under normal circumstances, but it becomes especially dangerous when you are also “flying blind.” If a hazard does suddenly appear, you will find it more challenging to maneuver and avoid impacts with one hand.
Phone Security Heightens Distractions
You also need to consider the security measures on most phones these days. Perhaps you are one of the many people who own a phone with facial recognition technology. While this can unlock your phone with a single glance, this technology is not 100% reliable. Facial recognition is especially faulty if you are driving with sunglasses on – a common situation in sunny Texas. If you need to use your fingerprint to unlock your phone, you might need to take two hands off the wheel. Entering a PIN can be just as difficult – and distracting.
Is Distracted Driving the Same as Driving While Intoxicated?
Texting while driving seriously affects your reaction times. By the time you notice a hazard in your peripheral vision, it might already be too late to avoid a collision. In many ways, this is similar to driving while intoxicated.
Motorcyclists face particularly serious hazards from distracted drivers. Motorcyclists are already difficult to spot because of their tendency to fall within blind spots. A distracted driver might find it even more difficult to spot these motorcyclists.
Texting and Driving is Not the Only Form of Distracted Driving
While texting and driving is the subject of serious concern in Texas, it is not the only type of distraction that can cause crashes. Virtually anything that takes your eye off the road can potentially lead to a crash. Common sources of distraction include:
- Eating
- Drinking
- Watching videos
- Doing makeup
- Reading
- Surfing the web
- Making online purchases
- Playing video games
- Interacting with passengers
- Becoming distracted by passing scenery
Even something as simple as swatting a fly may constitute a distraction. Many drivers also become distracted by car crashes, ogling the wreckage as they pass the scene and contributing to more crashes in the process.
If you were hit by another driver, it might not be clear whether they were distracted at the time. After all, you probably did not watch what they were doing prior to the collision. If you had been watching, you would have been distracted as well. As a result, it makes sense to gather evidence of distraction alongside an experienced personal injury lawyer in Texas.
Contact Our Attorney at Hernandez Law Firm Today
If you are considering legal action after a distracted driver crash in Texas, contact Hernandez Law Firm today at (936) 256-3115. We understand the severity of distracted driving crashes in Texas and we are ready to help you explore your legal options. Although distracted driving can be difficult to prove, you are not alone in this legal battle. Our law office is conveniently located in Spring with fully bilingual staff (Spanish and English). Schedule a consultation today to discuss an action plan.
