Cell Phones While Driving

It seems like everyone has a cell phone. It wasn’t that long ago when cell phones were a rarity. However, today, cell phones are extremely common and unfortunately, are a cause of accidents. Have you been injured in a car accident that was caused by a negligent driver? Cell phone car accidents can have very serious repercussions, but you do not have to suffer alone. Call a Dallas car accident attorney as soon as possible after your accident.

What’s A Cell Phone Car Accident?
When you think about car accidents caused by cell phones, you may think about texting and driving. While this does contribute to many accidents, it is not the only way in which a cell phone can contribute to an accident. Some other ways include:

  • Dialing a number while driving
  • Entering an address into a phone’s GPS system
  • Surfing Facebook or doing social media while driving
  • Texting and driving
  • Talking on the phone and not paying attention
  • Glancing at a smart phone map while driving

These are just some of the ways in which a cell phone can lead to distracted or negligent driving. Cell phones, particularly smart phones, have many useful purposes for drivers. However, the risks and dangers may outweigh the benefits of these pieces of modern technology. A Dallas car accident attorney may be able to help you seek financial compensation if you have been injured in a car accident caused by a mobile device.

An iPhone itself is not dangerous. However, using a cell phone while driving a vehicle can cause some of the following reckless behaviors:

  • Distracted driving
  • Multitasking
  • Failure to check for blind spots when changing lanes
  • Speeding
  • Turning without properly signaling
  • Abrupt stops or turns

Any of these behaviors cause serious accidents that leave other motorists injured or dead. It has been reported that distracted driving causes one in four accidents in Texas. Cell phone use is the front-runner cause of distracted driving.

Texas Laws Regarding Cell Phone Use
Currently, Texas has no statewide law that prohibits the use of cell phones while driving. However, there are several things that you should know about cell phones while driving in Texas:

  • No driver with a learning permit license is allowed to use a cell phone while driving.
  • Drivers under 19 are prohibited from using any kind of wireless device while driving.
  • School bus drivers are not allowed to use cell phones.
  • Cell phones are not allowed in school zones.
  • There are several counties that have their own prohibitions on cell phone use while driving.

If you or your family was involved in an accident and you know the driver was ignoring the law, you may be eligible for a monetary settlement. Cell phone car accidents can have very serious physical, monetary and emotional consequences. You do not have to face the situation alone because a Dallas car accident attorney is waiting to help you.

Drugs Driving Accidents

Drugs are a controversial issue for many Texans. Regardless of the politics, everyone agrees that getting behind the wheel while using drugs is dangerous for all motorists. Because high drivers are impaired, much in the same way as drunk drivers, accidents caused by drugs may be criminally prosecuted and victims may be eligible for financial compensation. If you have been injured by a high driver, a common accident cause, call a Dallas car accident attorney as soon as possible.

How Do Drugs Cause Accidents And Why Are They So Serious?
Driving under the influence of drugs is known as drugged driving and it can have serious effects. Some facts about drugged driving are listed below:

  • Any substance that affects the brain can impair driving, including over-the-counter medications.
  • Drugged drivers typically have a slower reaction time and do not make very wise driving decisions.
  • Drugged drivers may have trouble distinguishing fantasy from reality
  • Driving while under the influence of drugs can make a driver prone to speeding or reckless behavior.

These are just some of the effects of drugged driving. Unlike blood alcohol content (BAC) levels with drunk driving, there is no agreed upon level to determine how drugged a driver may be to drive safely. Drugged driving is a serious issue that is very difficult to monitor. However, police always have the right to arrest a driver who displays signs of impaired behavior at the time of an accident or traffic stop.

Impaired Driving And Your Accident
If you were in an accident that was caused by drugs, you may have a hard time deciding what you should do next. A Dallas car accident attorney can examine the evidence from your case and determine what subsequent steps you should take. If you were injured or if you lost a loved one in a car accident because of drugged driving, you should consider a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. The first step in this process is a phone call to an attorney.

The following facts may affect your drugged driving case:

  • Younger drivers are more prone to driving while under the influence of drugs.
  • Drivers who are drugged may be under the influence of alcohol as well.
  • There are many prescribed medications and substances that can influence driving in the same way as illegal drugs.
  • While it may be hard for police officers to test for drugs while in the field, medical facilities can test for drug use.

Were you injured in a car accident? Do you suspect that drugs may have caused it? While there are never any 100 percent guarantees, an attorney could be a great resource in securing a financial settlement. Drugged driving is a crime and is dangerous. If you are a victim, do not suffer alone. Call an attorney as soon as possible after your accident.

Do I Have A Case?

This Blog was brought to you by the Carabin Shaw Law Firm, Principal Office in San Antonio

Were you involved in a car accident and are not sure if you have a case? Were you injured in any motor vehicle accident? Was the accident found to be your fault or the other driver’s fault? An attorney could be of assistance to you as you seek answers to your questions. Attorneys are familiar with the laws and regulations regarding traffic accidents. A Dallas car accident lawyer can give you answers and alleviate your concerns. He or she will be able to determine if you have a case.

An attorney will investigate and evaluate the details of your case. From there, he or she will formulate a strategic plan of action. If a settlement is involved, an experienced attorney may be able to estimate the possible award’s dollar amount. From there the attorney will move into action. You may have claims for compensation based on various grounds, so do not wait; contact an attorney at your earliest convenience.

Does Your Car Accident Give You Reason To Pursue A Settlement?
Many Dallas residents don’t realize that they could collect a financial award after suffering injuries in a car accident. If you were injured in a car accident that was not your fault, you could be entitled to financial compensation. You may seek an award for these and other injuries in a personal injury lawsuit:

  • Lost wages
  • Vehicle repairs
  • Medical expenses
  • Emotional pain and suffering

Normally, people make financial settlement arrangements with the other driver’s insurance company. However, if the insurance company offers you less than what you are owed, a Dallas car accident lawyer can help you file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit to get you the full amount. A dedicated Dallas car accident attorney will assist you and guide you through the entire legal and insurance negotiation process.

It is important for you to remember that insurance companies do not necessarily have your best interests in mind. You will need assistance from someone looking out for you as soon as possible. An attorney will make sure your needs are represented. If this process is navigated alone, you risk handling your negotiation improperly.

Contacting An Attorney
The sooner you seek assistance from an attorney, the sooner he or she can get started on your case. After a car accident, write down all relevant information and keep good records. Your notes may be used as evidence later. An attorney will want to review your collected details, including the traffic report, insurance documentation, and medical records.

From there, he or she will formulate and implement a plan to pursue the compensation you and your family are owed. An attorney will make sure that your rights are protected. Do not face this difficult time alone; contact a car accident attorney immediately to get started. An attorney is only a phone call or email away.

Head Injuries

Your brain is arguably the most important organ in your body. It controls everything and when this vital organ experiences trauma, it can lead to life-long medical issues or even death. A head injury is one of the most common car accident injuries, but just because it’s common doesn’t mean it’s not serious. A Dallas car accident attorney can assist you and your family if you have been impacted by a car accident head injury.

What Types Of Head Injuries Happen In Road Accidents?
There are many types of brain injuries. Some are minor and have short-term effects while others can impact the remainder of a person’s life. Head and brain injuries commonly caused by motor vehicle accidents include:

Traumatic brain injuries: A concussion is an example of this kind of injury. Concussions usually heal after a time of rest and usually only require minimal medical care. Other injuries in this class include several that tend to be created after an impact or sudden rotation of the head, an example is a brain contusion.
Acquired brain injury: This category includes injuries that cause the brain to lose oxygen and injuries caused by pre-existing medical conditions. These injuries can also be caused by nearly drowning and other traumatic experiences. Loss of oxygen to the brain could also be evidence of a severe bodily injury, such as a neck injury.

There are different levels of brain injuries. They range from mild to severe, but whatever the severity, brain injuries require immediate medical attention. All brain injuries also have consequences. At the very least, an injury of this nature will disrupt the life of a victim, much like a back injury.

Car accidents cause irreparable damage and these are just examples of possible head injuries. When a reckless, dangerous, negligent or inexperienced driver causes these kinds of injuries, those who have suffered may consider a personal injury lawsuit. Financial recompense can help alleviate the burden after unexpected car accident injuries, like brain injuries.

Get The Help That You Deserve
No family can be truly ready to endure unexpected injuries. Car crashes happen every day in Dallas with no warning. If you or a loved one has experienced any kind of physical or emotional injury from an accident that was caused by another driver, you may be eligible for compensation. Maybe the accident wasn’t the fault of another driver; maybe it was caused by car defects and road conditions. Regardless of the circumstances of the accident, you and your family deserve to know all of the available options.

Recompense for an accident cannot undo physical damage to the brain. However, brain injuries can be costly and they require medical care. You may need:

  • Hospital stays
  • MRI imaging
  • Surgery
  • Rehabilitation
  • Occupational and speech therapy
  • Long term nursing care

Paying for this kind of medical care is expensive. It may even be financially devastating. You should not have to face these expenses alone. Don’t feel like there’s no hope or that there is no recourse available to you and your family. A case evaluation from an experienced attorney is the first step in this process.