Recovering Compensation After a Distracted Driving Accident

Texas Driving Distractions

When you hear about distracted driving, you likely think of cell phones and text messages. While these can distract a driver and lead to a wreck, they are not the only distractions facing drivers. Other distractions can include:

• Warning lights and alarms inside the vehicle
• Other passengers and children
• Unsecured bags and purses
• Food and beverages
• Construction sites, accidents, and other roadside distractions

A driver’s personal appearance can even be a distraction. Attempting to get dressed or put on makeup while driving is as distracting as checking Facebook or trying to eat breakfast.

Distractions are one of the common causes of car accidents in El Paso. Distractions can generally be classified as follows:

Visual Distractions

Visual distractions take the driver’s attention and focus away from the road. When the driver’s eyes are not looking at the road and surrounding traffic, they can easily collide with other vehicles, pedestrians, and hazards. Car accidents on the side of the road or attention-grabbing billboards are examples of visual distractions.

Manual Distractions

A manual distraction requires the driver to use one or both hands to accomplish tasks other than safely controlling their vehicle. For example, a driver who is attempting to tie a necktie or drink a hot cup of coffee is succumbing to a manual distraction. This makes it difficult for the driver to safely and swiftly control their vehicle in the event of an emergency.

Hybrid Distractions

Hybrid distractions combine visual and manual distractions, taking the driver’s eyes and hands away from the task of driving safely. Carrying on a text message conversation is a classic example of a hybrid distraction.

A driver who allows any person or task to distract them while driving is committing a negligent act. If such a driver injures you in a car accident, you have the right to seek financial compensation. Let the Law Offices of Michael J. Gopin, PLLC, show you how.

Holding a Distracted Driver Accountable for Damages

Insurance companies and at-fault drivers may not always admit to driving while distracted. In this situation, you and your El Paso distracted driving accident lawyer must prove that the at-fault driver was not giving their full attention to the road. This can involve finding and collecting:

• Cell phone records from the at-fault driver
• Surveillance video, dash cam video, or photographs of the other driver
• Eyewitness statements from others who saw the driver before the crash
• Statements from witnesses who spoke with the driver after the crash
• Photographs of the accident scene

Police officers who investigated your distracted driving accident may also provide helpful evidence. In cleaning up the accident scene, they may discover items in the at-fault driver’s vehicle that suggest they were distracted. Such items could include a cell phone that is actively receiving texts, spilled food or beverage items, or other similar objects.

Whatever the distraction might be, let the Law Offices of Michael J. Gopin, PLLC, discover it. We will conduct an in-depth investigation into what led to your accident. We will then swiftly file your damages claim and seek compensation for your injuries. Start by scheduling your free, no-obligation consultation with us today.

Compensation Is Available, Even if You Were Careless

All drivers are susceptible to being distracted, and it only takes a brief moment of inattentiveness to cause a crash. Even if you believe you were also careless, it pays to talk with the Law Offices of Michael J. Gopin, PLLC.

Because of the comparative negligence law in Texas, you may still be able to receive some compensation as long as you are not the one primarily responsible for the accident.