
Distracted Driving Accident Attorney in Marble Falls, TX
An accident can leave you with the burden of heavy medical bills, emotional trauma, property damage, and more. While recovery is difficult, a Marble Falls distracted driving accident lawyer can help you file a claim to receive compensation to help you move forward.
The Stewart Law Firm has over 20 years of experience representing victims and their families. Our attorneys’ knowledge of Texas’s distracted driving accident laws and dedication to ensuring you feel respected and heard throughout this process are used to create a strong legal strategy for every case. We have secured millions in compensation for victims, and can pursue increased compensation in your distracted driving accident claim case.
Distracted Driving Accidents in Marble Falls
Distractions are everywhere. It is easy to be distracted by the beauty of Granite Mountain or by events along Main Street, but these distractions can become deadly when they take your focus away from driving. In one year, 3,375 Americans were killed due to distracted driving. Distractions fall into three main categories:
- Visual. Visual distractions take your eyes off the road. Billboards, scenery, and roadside events are all common visual distractions.
- Manual. Manual distractions take your hands away from the steering wheel. Some manual distractions are necessary, such as adjusting AC controls, but can also include personal grooming or eating.
- Cognitive. Cognitive distractions take your mental focus off driving. Fatigue and drowsiness can increase your susceptibility to cognitive distractions such as worries or daydreams.
Cell phone use is one of the leading distractions, with 37% of drivers reporting talking on the phone and 34% of drivers reporting reading a text or email in the last month. Cell phone usage often includes multiple categories of distraction because it can take both your mind and hands or eyes away from driving. This increases the risk of an accident.
If you or a family member has faced damages such as personal injury, property damage, or extreme emotional distress, you may be able to file a claim against the at-fault driver. Filing a claim can bring you peace of mind during your recovery by ensuring the at-fault driver is held liable for the damages they caused and by bringing you compensation.
Why Hire a Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer in Marble Falls, TX
If you hire a distracted driving accident lawyer, they can help you during the investigation and when beginning to file a claim. A car accident lawyer can collect evidence from the accident, communicate with law enforcement and the at-fault driver, and prepare to file a claim with accuracy and timeliness. While you recover, your lawyer can guide you through the legal processes.
During negotiations or a trial, a lawyer can negotiate to expand the amount of compensation you receive in order to limit financial hardship and help you recover after an accident. Some factors that influence compensation are:
- Medical costs. Compensation can cover the cost of medical care, allowing you to receive medical treatments and medications you need to recover without worrying about finances.
- Lost wages. Missing work due to your recovery is not uncommon. Compensation can cover lost income to avoid financial hardship during recovery.
- Property damage. If your vehicle, clothing, personal electronics, glasses, or other personal property has been damaged, repairs or replacements can be extremely costly. The cost of repairing or replacing your property can be included in your compensation.
- Physical pain. The physical pain, scarring, or disfigurement can be severe and long-lasting. Your lawyer can seek to increase compensation for your suffering.
- Emotional distress. Being involved in a car accident is emotionally challenging. PTSD, anxiety, and other psychiatric disorders or stress are a realistic outcome. Compensation is often raised to reflect the emotional pain the accident caused.
FAQs
At-fault drivers in a distracted driving accident can face strict penalties, especially if an accident caused injury or death, or if it is a repeated offense. If the driver caused serious injury or death, they could have to pay up to $4,000 in fines, up to one year of jail time, and a mark on their driving record. Additionally, if a victim files a claim, the at-fault driver can be held liable for the damages the victim suffered.
Anything that takes your mind or eyes off the road or involves taking your hands off the wheel can be a distraction, though some distractions are more common. Cell phone-related distractions, including making phone calls, reading and answering text messages, or manipulating navigation systems, cause a large number of accidents. Eating and drinking, drowsiness, and grooming are other actions that can become a dangerous distraction.
Yes, Texas is an at-fault state for auto crashes. More specifically, Texas adheres to a modified comparative negligence system to determine which driver can be held liable for damages caused in a crash. The driver with 51% or more of the blame for a crash is considered to be at-fault. If you have less than half of the blame, you can file a claim against the at-fault driver for damages.
According to distracted driving accident law, it is illegal to send or read text messages while driving or to use a cell phone while in a Texas school zone. Drivers under 18 and drivers who received their learner’s permits less than six months ago are prohibited from using cell phones in any capacity while driving, including texting, calling, or even touching the cell phone.
Speak With a Marble Falls Distracted Driving Accident Attorney Today
Distracted drivers can cause severe injuries, financial hardship, and impact the well-being of accident victims. At The Stewart Law Firm, our attorneys know that recovery is emotionally challenging and filing a claim can seem stressful and legally complex, but it doesn’t have to be a source of stress. Contact us for a free consultation to learn how a distracted driving accident lawyer in Marble Falls can guide you through the process of filing a claim during recovery.