It is not secret that distracted driving is dangerous and can cause serious car accidents. A closer look at Texas distracted laws can help victims of distracted driver’s understand when a negligent distracted driver may be liable to compensate them for the damages they have suffered.
Distracted driving includes a variety of behaviors that can be dangerous on the roadways. These behaviors include cell phone use; accessing the internet while driving; texting while driving; reading while driving; operating a radio or navigation device while driving; eating while driving; grooming while driving; reaching for a loose object while driving; and basically any other activity that removes the driver’s hands from the wheel, eyes from the road or focus from driving.
Texting and driving is considered the most dangerous form of distracted driving because it engages the driver’s hands, eyes and concentration. In Texas, it is illegal to text while driving. This law is considered a primary law which means that a police officers can pull a driver over for texting while driving without the driver committing any other infraction than texting while driving.
Oftentimes, a violation of the law can be used as evidence of negligence if the victim of a distracted driver brings a claim for damages. Victims of distracted drivers may be able to recover compensation for the physical, financial and emotional damages they suffer in a distracted driving accident.
It is important for victims of distracted driving to be familiar with the legal protections available to them. These protections can help victims through the difficult process of rebuilding their lives following a distracted driving-related car accident.