Distracted driving is a common cause of car accidents. Too many drivers take their eyes off the road to text, talk on the phone, adjust dashboard controls, eat or drink, or talk to passengers. And too often the result is a crash that leaves people with serious injuries.
How bad is distracted driving in Texas?
But which states have the biggest problem with distracted driving? The insurance company USAA did a study to try to find out.
Using data for the first half of the year from its SafePilot® telematics app, which monitors driving habits, USAA was able to gain some insights into distracted driving behavior. They were also able to determine smartphone distraction rates – the percentage of driving time that drivers were distracted.
Texas came in ninth in the top ten states with the most distracted drivers, with a distraction rate of 14%.
Distraction behind the wheel is dangerous
“At USAA, we are committed to helping create safer roads for everyone,” says Randy Termeer, USAA President of Property & Casualty. “By staying focused on the road and avoiding distractions, we can protect lives, reduce accidents, and make our communities safer for all.”
Across the country, USAA saw a 10% increase in distracted driving behaviors compared to the first half of 2022.
Distracted driving is dangerous for several reasons, including:
- Decreased attention – A driver is not paying attention to what’s happening on the road, and has reduced reaction time.
- Impaired decision-making – A distracted driver’s thoughts aren’t on the task of driving, reducing the ability to make good decisions.
- Reduced control – When drivers are distracted, they are more likely to drift into another lane or ignore the speed limit.
Remember, distracted driving is a choice. Distracted drivers put others at risk when they use their phones while driving or try to multi-task behind the wheel instead of focusing on the road. When they cause an accident, victims can be seriously hurt. Injuries can range from whiplash or sprains and strains to broken bones, concussions, or spinal cord injuries.
Contact a lawyer if you were hit by a distracted driver
Crash victims can be left with significant medical bills and other accident-related expenses. And when they're hurt in a crash caused by a distracted driver, they shouldn’t have to pay these bills. However, holding distracted drivers accountable can be complicated.
A negligent driver may deny that they were distracted and may even try to shift blame to the victim for what happened. Insurance companies often use several different tactics to limit the amount they have to pay, including disputing the seriousness of injuries, disputing liability, and making lowball settlement offers before the extent of damages is fully known.
That’s why it’s important to get legal advice as soon as possible if you were hurt in an accident. John R. Solis, Attorney at Law is an experienced car accident lawyer in Laredo, TX who knows how to investigate accidents and gather evidence to build strong cases.
He can help you fight back against insurance company attempts to pay you less to recover the financial compensation you deserve, either through a negotiated settlement or a jury verdict.
If you were hurt in a Laredo, TX crash, don’t delay. Contact attorney John R. Solis for a free consultation. He can discuss your potential legal options and answer any questions you have so you can decide what to do next.