When we talk about who’s responsible for a texting-while-driving crash, it all comes down to the duty of care. This just means every driver has a legal responsibility to pay attention and drive safely. If you’re behind the wheel, you shouldn’t be texting, eating, or doing anything else that takes your eyes off the road.
If a driver breaks that duty by texting and causes an accident, that’s called negligence. Negligence means the driver didn’t act with the care that a reasonable person would have, and that failure led to the crash. So, if texting caused the accident, the driver who was texting is generally at fault.
However, sometimes the fault isn’t one-sided. There could be situations where both drivers share responsibility. This is known as “comparative negligence.” For example, if one driver was texting and the other was speeding, the blame might be divided between them. The compensation each person gets is adjusted depending on how much fault they carry. You should talk to a good distracted driving accident attorney who actually knows how to deal with this kind of situation.
How Do You Prove the Other Driver Was Texting?
- Proving that the other driver was texting when the accident happened is one of the hardest parts of these cases, but it’s crucial. You can’t just say someone was distracted—you need evidence. Here’s how you might gather proof:
- First, your lawyer can ask for the other driver’s phone records. These records can show if the driver sent or received texts at the exact time of the crash. This kind of evidence is strong because it’s directly from the phone.
- Next, witness statements can help a lot. People who saw the accident might have noticed the other driver looking at their phone or acting distracted right before the crash. Their testimony can support your claim. Police reports are also important. When the police arrive at the scene, they write a detailed report. If the driver admits to texting or the officer notices signs of distraction, it will be noted there.
- Sometimes, video footage from nearby security cameras, traffic cameras, or dash cams can capture the driver using their phone. This kind of visual proof can be very powerful.
- Finally, modern cars often have electronic data recorders. These devices track how the car was driven just before the crash. If the data shows sudden braking or no braking when it was needed, that can indicate the driver wasn’t paying attention.
What Can You Get Compensation For?
If you’re hurt in an accident caused by someone texting, you can usually get money to cover many types of losses. Here’s what compensation might cover:
- Medical expenses: This means all your bills for hospital stays, doctor visits, medications, surgeries, physical therapy, and any future treatments you need. Even if your injury seems minor at first, it’s important to keep track of all medical costs because some injuries show up later.
- Lost wages: All salary lost is also covered if your injuries keep you from working. You don’t have to lose money just because you got hurt. Compensation should pay for the income you miss during recovery.
- Pain and suffering: This is money for the physical pain you feel and the emotional stress that comes with being in an accident. It’s not easy to put a price on this, but the law recognizes that it’s real damage.
- Loss of enjoyment: If your injuries stop you from doing the things you enjoy, be it sports, hobbies, or just daily activities, you might get compensated for loss of enjoyment of life. This means money to acknowledge that your life has changed.
- Property damage: If your car or other belongings were damaged in the crash, compensation can be paid for repairs or replacements.
Final Conclusion
Texting while driving is a serious and dangerous form of negligence. It only takes a few seconds of distraction to cause a crash that can change lives forever. If you’ve been hurt in a texting-related accident, it’s important to understand your rights and gather the right evidence. With the help of an experienced distracted driving attorney, you can prove fault, protect your legal interests, and pursue fair compensation. Whether it’s medical bills, lost income, or emotional suffering, you deserve support and justice for what you’ve gone through.