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Distracted Driving Accident Attorneys in Tyler and Longview

Distracted drivers cause far too many preventable traffic accidents on the roads and highways of Texas. If you or a loved one has been injured by a distracted driver, you need sound legal advice. Our Tyler accident attorneys can help.

The law firm of Roberts & Roberts has been helping people injured in motor vehicle accidents caused by distracted drivers in Tyler, Longview, and across Texas for nearly 40 years. With deep roots in East Texas, Roberts & Roberts has built a national reputation for the legal representation we provide our personal injury clients. If you have been seriously injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver, you need a knowledgeable personal injury attorney from Roberts & Roberts to guide you. You may have legal rights to seek compensation from the distracted driver who caused your accident.

Contact us at 903-597-6000 or fill out our online contact form for a free review of the facts of your case. We represent clients injured by distracted drivers in Tyler and Longview, all of Texas, and throughout the United States. We can help you get your vehicle repaired or replaced, find the medical care you need, and obtain compensation to get you back on your feet.

How Do You Hold a Distracted Driver Accountable?

There’s no question that distracted driving is a serious problem. But how do you prove that driver distraction was the root cause of your motor vehicle accident, especially if the at-fault driver isn’t being completely honest about what happened?

Holding a distracted driver responsible for their actions isn’t always easy. We hear all kinds of excuses, and even outright lies, from drivers and their insurance companies. But if there are no other eyewitnesses and it’s your word against theirs, where do you find the evidence you need?

Should I Hire a Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer?

Proving that the other driver was distracted at the time of the accident is rarely straightforward. The other driver might not want to admit they weren’t paying attention to the road at the time of the accident. You could quickly wind up in a “he said, she said” situation.

While you always have the option to represent yourself, an experienced attorney will know how to thoroughly investigate a crash and find evidence of fault. Examples include:

• Obtaining cell phone records to determine if the negligent driver was using their phone at the time of the crash.
• Obtaining “black box” data from the other vehicle that could provide evidence of inattention (such as a driver not hitting the brakes until just before or after a crash).
• Having an accident reconstructionist examine crash photos and other physical evidence to shed light on what really happened.
• Carefully questioning witnesses under oath (including, if possible, the other driver) to identify inaccuracies, inconsistencies, and sometimes outright lies.

Of course, proving that the other driver wasn’t paying attention is only one small aspect of how an attorney can help you with your personal injury claim. They can also help you get the medical treatment you need, calculate a fair estimate of the damages you should claim (including future medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering), negotiate with other driver’s insurance company (or your own insurance company) on your behalf, and much more. This allows you to focus on healing, recovery, and family.

Our Tyler Distracted Driving Attorneys Can Help

The attorneys and staff at Roberts & Roberts know that a distracted driving accident can turn your life upside down. You might not know where to turn or what to say to insurance adjusters who call wanting you to make a statement. Seek the experienced guidance of a trusted Tyler personal injury lawyer before making any recorded statement to an insurance company or signing anything.

We can help you get money to repair or replace your car. We can help you obtain the medical treatment you need to recover from injuries caused by a distracted driving accident. We can work to get you reimbursed for lost wages caused by not being able to work.

Most of the attorneys at Roberts & Roberts are board-certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. That means you will have a legal specialist at your side.

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From one former client: “I am so happy to have chosen the best law firm around. The staff is amazing in handling your questions promptly. I hope I don’t ever need them again, but if I do, there is no question I will be back. Thank y’all so much for helping me.” – Heather N.

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Distracted Driving: A Texas Epidemic

According to Texas Department of Transportation, 2,824 people were seriously injured and 484 people were killed on Texas roadways in 2022 due to distracted driving accidents. This accounts for approximately 11% of all traffic fatalities.

As bad as the official distracted driving statistics are, consider that they are also almost certainly a significant underestimate, since they only include cases where distracted driving was actually reported as a contributing factor in the accident. In many instances, driver inattention goes unreported by the police due to the lack of physical evidence and drivers not wanting to admit fault.

Types of Distracted Driving

Anything that takes a driver’s focus away from the road is a distraction. There are three primary types of driver distractions:

• Visual distractions. These take a driver’s eyes off the road. For example, checking a cell phone or turning around to speak with a child in the rear seat.
• Manual distractions. These take a driver’s hands off the wheel. For example, eating fast food or adjusting the radio.
• Cognitive distractions. These take a driver’s mind off the road. For example, having a conversation with passengers or driving while excessively fatigued.

Common examples of distracted driving include, but are not limited to:

• Texting
• Eating and drinking
• Using an electronic navigation system
• Reading a map or other material
• Surfing the internet on a smartphone
• Attending to children in the car
• Grooming/putting on makeup
• Smoking
• Watching a video
• Adjusting a radio or CD player

Texting While Driving Is Especially Dangerous

Texting, playing phone games, and other distractions related to using a mobile device are especially dangerous, since they involve all three primary types of distracted driving at once.

The statistics are shocking. A driver sending a text message is 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash than a driver who is not distracted. Even if typing a text message distracts a driver for just five seconds, that’s long enough for a car going 55 mph to travel the length of a football field.

That’s why Texas has banned the use of hand-held phones and texting in school zones and banned drivers younger than 18 from using cell phones or texting. Young drivers account for the largest portion of distracted drivers, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

What To Do After a Texas Distracted Driver Accident

After a traffic accident involving a distracted driver, your first priority should be to seek medical treatment for yourself and others injured in the accident. Even if you don’t feel injured, it’s a good idea to visit your doctor and describe the accident. Some injuries such as closed head injuries and concussions may not be immediately obvious.

We suggest that accident victims who are injured keep a daily journal of their recovery and how the injury has affected their life. In a few months, your recovery may be a blur. You may not remember some of the specific details of your injury that could support your injury claim in a distracted driving accident lawsuit.

You should also report the accident caused by a distracted driver to your insurance company as soon as practical. But you should not make a written or recorded statement about the accident to the insurance company until you have spoken with an experienced distracted driving lawyer at Roberts & Roberts. An insurance adjuster representing the at-fault driver might approach you about making a quick settlement. They’ll try to dispose of the claim by offering the lowest amount possible. Don’t sign any documents before first consulting an experienced personal injury lawyer at Roberts & Roberts.

Contact Roberts & Roberts Today

At Roberts & Roberts, we have been standing up for victims of distracted driving car accidents in Tyler and Longview for more than 40 years. To schedule a free consultation, simply contact us at 903-597-6000 or fill out our online contact form. There is no obligation and no cost to you unless we help you obtain compensation.

Related Resources: Car Accident Lawyers in Tyler and Longview

• Back Injuries From Texas Car Accidents
• Texas Car Accident Statistics
• Texas Auto Defect Attorneys
• Distracted Driving Accident Attorneys in Tyler and Longview
• East Texas Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
• Texas Comparative Negligence Law: What Happens if More Than One Person Is at Fault for a Crash? 
• Texas Rear-End Car Wreck Lawyers
• Texting-While-Driving Accidents In Texas
• East Texas Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Accident Lawyer

The content provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject.