Seek legal counsel to protect your rights after a catastrophic injury caused by a driver on their cell phone.
In Texas, catastrophic injuries caused by cell phone use are a serious issue. Every day, thousands of drivers check messages, make calls, or use navigation apps without considering the consequences. These distractions can lead to life-altering collisions and injuries in a matter of seconds.
If you or a loved one has suffered this type of accident, it’s essential to understand your rights and how to enforce them. A Texas attorney experienced in handling serious injuries from cell phone car accidents can help you through every step of the legal process. With their help, you can seek fair compensation to cover medical expenses, financial losses, and emotional damages.
What Are Cell Phone Car Accidents?
Cell phone car accidents happen when a driver loses focus while handling their mobile device. This practice interferes with visual, manual, and cognitive attention, significantly increasing the risk of a crash.
A cell phone can distract a driver in many ways:
- Sending or reading text messages
- Making calls, even with a hands-free device
- Using social media
- Operating navigation or music apps
While it seems like a momentary action, taking your eyes off the road for just a few seconds can be the same as traveling a long distance with no vision. For example, while driving at 55 miles per hour, taking five seconds to read a text message is like driving the entire length of a football field with your eyes closed.
Car accidents involving cell phone use are a form of distracted driving that not only endanger the driver but also put passengers, pedestrians, and other drivers at risk of serious injury.
Statistics on Cell Phone Use While Driving in Texas
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) reports that in 2024, there were over 3,000 accidents involving cell phone use while driving. Additionally, that same year, nearly 380 people in Texas lost their lives in distracted driving accidents, including those involving cell phones.
These numbers show how widespread the problem is in both urban and rural areas.
Texas Laws on Cell Phone Use While Driving
The state of Texas has established clear regulations to reduce accidents caused by cell phones. Since September 2017, it has been illegal to send and receive text messages while on the road.
Some key points of the law in Texas include:
- General Prohibition: No driver can send or read text messages while operating a vehicle.
- Drivers Under 18: Minors are prohibited from using any electronic device while driving.
- School and School Zones: It is illegal to use cell phones, even with a hands-free device, in school zones during class hours.
- Penalties: Fines can range from $99 to $200, but if a cell phone accident causes serious injury or death, the at-fault driver may face criminal charges.
The goal of these laws is to reduce voluntary distraction and to punish offenders for using their mobile phones while driving.
Common Injuries in Cell Phone Car Accidents
Using a cell phone while driving can cause, and has caused, life-changing, serious injuries. Some of the most common are:
- Whiplash and back injuries
- Fractures and limb injuries
- Head trauma or brain injuries
- Internal injuries and damage to vital organs
- Emotional and psychological damage such as anxiety or depression
In addition to requiring extensive medical attention, these injuries often necessitate surgeries and rehabilitation therapies. In many cases, they leave permanent consequences that impact a person’s quality of life.
What to Do If You Suffered a Serious Injury Caused by a Driver on Their Cell Phone
If you’ve been the victim of a cell phone-related accident in Texas, it’s very important to act quickly to defend your rights. We recommend following these steps:
- Seek immediate medical attention. Your health is the priority, even if your injuries seem minor.
- Call the police. The official report will be a key piece of evidence in your case.
- Gather evidence. Take photos of the accident scene, the vehicles involved, and any evidence of the other driver’s distraction.
- Get information. Collect the contact and insurance details of the at-fault driver, as well as any witnesses.
- Do not speak with insurance companies without legal advice. They may try to reduce the compensation you deserve.
- Contact an attorney. A cell phone car accident attorney in Texas can guide and defend you.
Following these steps can make all the difference in the outcome of your claim.
Compensation a Victim Can Receive in Texas
Victims of cell phone car accidents in Texas can claim various forms of compensation depending on the severity of the case. Among the most common are:
- Medical expenses: This includes consultations, hospitalization, medications, and surgeries.
- Rehabilitation and therapies: Such as physical, occupational, or psychological therapy.
- Lost wages: Income you missed during your recovery.
- Emotional damages: Compensation for suffering and the impact on your daily life.
- Property damage: The cost to repair or replace your vehicle.
- Punitive damages: These are applicable in serious cases to punish the at-fault driver.
A lawyer with knowledge of serious injury cases will help you accurately calculate the true value of your case and ensure the compensation covers all your present and future needs.
Why Hire a Lawyer for Your Catastrophic Injury Case in Texas?
Having a lawyer guide you through the process of getting the justice you deserve after a catastrophic injury provides significant advantages:
- Experience in similar cases: A lawyer has the knowledge to prove the at-fault driver’s distraction.
- Thorough investigation: They can access phone records, security cameras, and witnesses.
- Negotiation with insurance companies: They protect you from unfair or reduced offers.
- Court representation: They provide a firm defense if your case goes to trial.
- Human support: A lawyer understands the physical, emotional, and financial impact you are facing.
Personal injury accidents caused by cell phone use while driving in Texas are a growing threat to road safety. If you were a victim of one of these incidents, you don’t have to face the legal process alone. The advice of a specialized lawyer can be the difference between receiving a reasonable compensation and an unjustly low settlement.
Attorney Javier Perez, “Nuestro Campeón,” and his team understand the desperation of going through such a situation. That’s why they will fight for your rights, guide you, and defend your interests to ensure you receive the compensation you’re entitled to.
Request a consultation with Javier Perez, knowing we will defend you with the utmost dedication.
*The information contained on this page does not, and is not intended to, create an attorney-client relationship. The results mentioned are unique to each case and do not guarantee similar outcomes in other cases.