In 2023, one in six accidents on Texas roads and highways was caused by distracted driving. These incidents resulted in almost 400 fatalities and over 2,700 serious injuries.
While the state and local areas take serious steps to stop and prevent distracted driving, it still happens daily.
If you’ve been hurt in a distracted driving accident, it’s important to know that you’re not alone. Working with a Dallas car accident lawyer from Patterson Law Group can make all the difference.
Our team helps protect your rights and ensures you get the compensation you deserve after such a traumatic event.
Types of Distractions
Distracted driving can take many forms, and it’s more than just texting while driving. Let’s break down the types of distractions that can happen behind the wheel.
Internal Distractions
Internal distractions come from inside the car. These can be anything from adjusting the radio to chatting with a friend in the passenger seat or even eating. Turning the radio dial or taking a quick bite of your sandwich might not seem like a big deal, but even a moment of distraction can lead to an accident.
External Distractions
Then, there are distractions outside the vehicle. Drivers might get distracted by a flashy billboard, an accident on the side of the road, or even pedestrians crossing the street. These things take a driver’s attention off the road, increasing the chances of an accident.
Driver Distractions
There are three main ways a driver can get distracted:
- Manual Distractions: These happen when the driver physically takes their hands off the wheel, like when they are eating, drinking, or using a phone.
- Visual Distractions: These occur when the driver looks away from the road, for example, when they are texting, checking their GPS, or even watching a video.
- Cognitive Distractions: These happen when the driver’s mind is elsewhere—maybe they’re daydreaming or deeply lost in thought.
Top Common Distractions for Drivers
Several types of distractions can give rise to automobile accidents. Some of the most common include:
Texting or Using a Mobile Device
Looking at your phone while driving takes your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel, and your mind off driving—all at once. Even a few seconds of texting can lead to a crash because you aren’t paying attention. It’s one of the most dangerous distractions for drivers.
Adjusting the Car’s Audio or GPS System
Changing the radio station or messing with the GPS might not seem like a big deal, but it takes your focus off the road. Even a glance can cause you to miss something important, like a car stopping suddenly or a pedestrian crossing. It’s easy to get distracted when fiddling with these controls.
Eating or Drinking While Driving
Grabbing a snack or drink might seem harmless, but it can be risky. You’re using one hand for food or drink, so you’re not fully controlling the car. Plus, spills can make you panic and lose focus, leading to an accident.
Talking to Passengers
Conversations with friends or family can be distracting, especially if they’re heated or require a lot of attention. You might look at the person you’re talking to instead of watching the road. Even a simple chat can take your mind off driving.
Personal Grooming
Some people try to save time by doing their makeup or fixing their hair while driving. But taking your hands off the wheel to look in the mirror can lead to accidents. It’s better to finish grooming before getting in the car.
Reaching for Objects Inside the Car
When you lean over to grab something, your focus is no longer on the road. You could swerve or miss something important happening in front of you. Even reaching for a water bottle can distract you for too long and cause a crash.
Watching Videos or Reading
Watching videos or reading while driving is extremely dangerous. It completely takes your eyes off the road and makes it impossible to react to changes in traffic. This distraction is one of the quickest ways to cause an accident.
Rubbernecking at External Events
When something unusual happens on the side of the road, like an accident or a big event, people often slow down and stare. This is called rubbernecking, and it distracts you from the road ahead, which can cause crashes with other cars.
Handling Pets or Children Inside the Car
Dealing with pets or kids while driving can take a lot of attention. If your pet is moving around or your child is crying, you might look away from the road to handle the situation, which puts everyone in danger.
Fatigue or Drowsy Driving
Driving while tired is a major distraction because your brain isn’t fully focused. When you’re drowsy, your reaction time slows down, and you might even doze off, making it easy to lose control of the car or miss important signals.
All these distractions take precious seconds from what drivers should be doing—watching the road.
How Distractions Can Lead to Car Accidents
When drivers aren’t paying attention, they may not react in time to avoid an accident. Here’s how distracted driving often leads to crashes:
- Delayed reaction times: A distracted driver might not see the brake lights in front of them and fail to stop in time.
- Swerving between lanes: Not paying attention to lane markers can cause a driver to drift into another lane, causing a sideswipe or head-on collision.
- Rear-end collisions: A distracted driver is less likely to brake when traffic slows down, leading to rear-end accidents.
- Failing to yield or obey traffic signs: Distractions can cause drivers to miss stop signs, yield signs, or traffic lights.
- Running red lights or stop signs: Not noticing a red light or stop sign is a common result of distracted driving.
- Drifting off the road or into oncoming traffic: Unfocused drivers may not keep their vehicle in the correct lane.
Challenges in Proving a Distracted Driver Injury Claim
Proving that another driver was distracted during the accident can be challenging. It’s not always obvious, and the distracted driver will not likely admit their fault. That’s why gathering evidence is critical.
- Phone records can show whether the driver was texting or using their phone.
- Eyewitness testimony from someone who saw the driver using a phone or being distracted is valuable.
- Technological evidence like dash cam footage or surveillance cameras can sometimes capture the driver’s behavior.
However, proving distraction requires careful investigation, which is why it is essential to work with a Dallas auto accident lawyer for distracted driving cases.
Importance of Hiring a Lawyer for a Distracted Driving Accident Claim
Handling a distracted driving accident claim isn’t something you should do alone. A distracted driving accident attorney in Dallas, TX, can be your best ally in ensuring your case is strong and you get fair compensation.
Here’s how:
- Collecting and preserving evidence: Your lawyer can help gather important evidence, such as phone records or surveillance footage, that proves the driver was distracted.
- Negotiating with insurance companies: Insurance companies often try to offer less than you deserve. A lawyer can negotiate on your behalf to ensure you’re not short-changed.
- Filing lawsuits: If the insurance settlement isn’t fair, your lawyer can take your case to court and fight for you.
- Representation in court: If your case goes to trial, having a no-win, no-fee distracted driving accident lawyer in Dallas means you won’t pay anything unless they win your case.
Hiring the best distracted driving accident lawyer in Dallas gives you the peace of mind that someone is looking out for your best interests, allowing you to focus on recovering.
Damages You Can Recover After a Distracted Driving Accident
If you’ve been injured in a distracted driving accident, you deserve to be compensated for your losses. Some of the damages you can recover include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of earning capacity
- Rehabilitation costs
- Loss of consortium
- Future medical expenses
- Punitive damages
A top-rated distracted driving accident lawyer in Dallas can help you calculate the total compensation you’re owed and fight to ensure you receive it.
Contact Our Dallas Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer
Distracted driving is a growing problem that has serious consequences. Whether texting, adjusting the radio or simply daydreaming, distractions behind the wheel can lead to devastating accidents.
If you or someone you love has been hurt in an accident caused by a distracted driver, it’s essential to take action.
At Patterson Law Group, our team of Dallas distracted driving accident lawyers is here to help. We have the knowledge and experience to build a strong case, prove the driver’s negligence, and fight for the compensation you deserve. Don’t wait—contact us today to speak with a distracted driving injury attorney near me and get the legal support you need.
Our no-win, no-fee distracted driving accident lawyers in Dallas ensure you won’t pay a dime unless we win your case. Let us help you protect your rights and move forward after a distracted driving accident.