Houston Distracted Driving Accident Attorneys
Legal advocacy for Texans injured in accidents caused by impaired drivers
An unfortunately common sight here in the Houston area is drivers looking at their phones, people checking their makeup in their rearview, or enjoying breakfast behind the wheel. Even though this might be common, all of it is extremely dangerous and puts everyone at risk of a serious car accident. When a driver takes their eyes off the road for even a second, they can cause a deadly crash.
The attorneys at the Kishinevsky Law Firm help victims of Houston distracted driving accidents secure the financial compensation to which they’re entitled. These types of car accidents are nearly always preventable, and when you or a loved one suffer injury because another person was texting or distracted behind the wheel, we want to help. Our attorneys are compassionate, knowledgeable, and know how to get things done. Talk to us today.
Your questions, answered
- What is distracted driving?
- How common are distracted driving accidents in Texas?
- What kinds of injuries happen from Houston distracted driving accidents?
- What are Houston’s distracted driving laws?
- What should I do after a distracted driving accident?
- Is there a distracted driving accident lawyer near me?
What is distracted driving?
Distracted driving is more than just firing off a text while behind the wheel. It’s a much more serious problem, one that the CDC says injures over 424,000 Americans each year. Further, they report that nine people lose their lives every day in car accidents involving distracted drivers.
At 55 mph, sending or reading a text is like driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed. --- MAKE BANNER
The CDC mentions three major types of distractions:
- Visual, which is anything that takes a driver’s eyes off the road
- Manual, any distraction that take’s a driver’s hands off the wheel
- Cognitive, a distraction causing the driver to take their mind off driving
Typically, distracted driving involves more than one of these. A text message, for example, takes your eyes off the road to read it, your cognitive abilities to understand it, and your
In many cases, distracted driving involves more than one type of distraction listed above. For example, text messages take your eyes off the road to look at the screen, your hands off the wheel to scroll or send a reply, and your mind off driving while you compose a response in your head.
How common are distracted driving accidents in Texas?
Although distracted driving is a national issue, it’s also a problem right here at home. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) reports 367 people died and 2,205 were seriously injured in distracted driving accidents in 2020. They also note that approximately one out of every five crashes in Texas were caused by distracted driving.
What kinds of injuries happen from Houston distracted driving accidents?
Injuries from distracted driving accidents are much like other car crashes, although they can often result in more serious injuries. Because distracted drivers often aren’t paying attention to what’s going on around them, they can run stop signs or red lights, and cause a high-speed and severe collision. Our Houston attorneys work with clients who have sustained injuries like:
- Broken or fractured bones
- Burn injuries
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Loss of limb
- Spinal cord injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Wrongful death
After your accident, we consult with your medical team and other experts to determine the entire scope of your injuries and how they affect you now, and how they will affect you in the future. Our personal injury lawyers want to ensure you secure fair and proper compensation for your injuries and losses.
What are Houston’s distracted driving laws?
Texting and driving is against the law in Houston and throughout the state of Texas. According to the TxDOT:
- “You cannot send or receive electronic messages while driving in Texas.
- Drivers with learner's permits are prohibited from using cellphones in the first six months of driving.
- Using any handheld device in your vehicle in a school zone is illegal.
- Drivers under the age of 18 are prohibited from using handheld devices.
- School bus drivers may not use cellphones at all while driving if children are present.
- Cellphone laws can change from city to city.”
This means that if you are involved in a car accident with a distracted driver, they may be charged with a traffic violation. The attorneys at the Kishinevsky Law Firm can talk to you about how these charges may affect your civil claim.
What should I do after a distracted driving accident?
When you’re involved in an accident with a Houston distracted driver, things can get confusing and overwhelming quickly. However, try to keep the following steps in mind, both to protect your physical health and any potential legal action. Remember, your first priority should always be seeking medical care for any urgent injuries.
- Call the authorities ASAP, to ensure first responders arrive. Police can investigate and take a report (which your insurance company and attorneys will need), and EMTs can provide medical help to any seriously injured individuals.
- Document evidence, if you can, at the scene. Use your cellphone camera to take photos of the vehicle damage, vehicle positions, skid marks, road conditions, your injuries, and anything else you can think might be relevant. Get the contact information of any witnesses, as well as the other driver and passengers. You don’t need to have any conversation, especially regarding fault, further than exchanging information.
- Seek medical care, even if you don’t feel injured. Some injuries – especially brain injuries or soft tissue injuries – may take hours or days to symptomize. However, a doctor can help diagnose and intervene for the best outcome. Further, seeing a medical professional immediately helps establish a link between the accident and your injuries.
- Talk to experienced attorneys, like the ones at the Kishinevsky Law Firm. We can guide you through the legal process of filing a distracted driving accident claim, and advocate for your right to compensation. We do the hard work while you take the time to recover from your injuries.
You can find out more at a free consultation; we’re always ready to answer your questions.
Is there a distracted driving accident lawyer near me?
The Kishinevsky Law firm is located at 13831 Northwest Fwy., Suite 312 in Houston. We offer plenty of parking, and there’s also a bus stop right in front of our building. If your injuries are too severe to come to us, we can come to your home, hospital, rehabilitation center, or meet with you via telephone or Zoom. We’re here for you.
Houston distracted driving attorneys advocating for you
The attorneys at the Kishinevsky Law Firm understand how the medical bills can pile up after a serious injury. When the accident wasn’t your fault, you shouldn’t have to shoulder this burden. Talk to our Houston distracted driving lawyers today to find out how we can help you file a claim to secure the compensation to which you’re entitled. Our consultations are always free – call 832-529-1111 or fill out our contact form to get in touch.
