In the early days of Henry Ford’s Model T, there was little to distract drivers from the task at hand. Driving was such a new pastime, that it was considered dangerous enough without the added danger of driver distraction. However, as cars developed and new distractions popped up in the form of highway entertainment, inner-car distraction, and driving under the influence, the accident rate skyrocketed. It has been difficult to bring this rate back down, especially in the age of smart phones. If you have been involved in a car accident caused by distracted driving, you may be entitled to receive damages for your injuries.

The Texas Department of Transportation publishes a yearly report on factors which contribute to the number of car accidents throughout the state. One of the highest causes for car accidents in 2014 was driver inattention. The state breaks out various factors which could each fall within “driver distraction” including cell phone use, distraction in vehicle, and driver inattention. In 2014, approximately 100,000 car accidents occurred which were linked to driver distraction, including over 3,000 serious injuries and approximately 500 fatalities. Each of these accidents, injuries and tragic deaths could have been easily avoided if the driver had focused solely on driving. Texas has taken great efforts to attempt to curb the incidence of driver distraction, including implementing bans on texting while driving. However, distracted driving accidents continue to occur on a daily basis, despite the work of law enforcement officers and legislators.

The victim of a car accident caused by distracted driving is eligible to collect the following in a car accident claim:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Future earnings
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium

An experienced personal injury attorney will be able to assist you in projecting out the total amount of recovery and will ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries. It is important that you refrain from accepting a settlement with the insurance company after your accident. Any agreement with the insurance company will directly impact your ability to bring a claim against the responsible party. While settlement offers are often attractive, due to the speed with which you can acquire the funds, they often do not take into account all of your expenses, including the medical care for your injuries. It is often difficult for insurance companies to project out the total cost of all your injuries, especially the loss of future income. A personal injury attorney will include all future expenses as part of your overall claim.

If you or a loved one have been injured in an accident caused by distracted driving, do not hesitate to contact the Malley Law Firm. Tony Malley has assisted numerous clients in their personal injury claims stemming from the damage a distracted driver has caused. You should not be forced to cover the cost of your injuries and should instead focus solely on your recovery. Contact our Beaumont office today for your initial free consultation.