Texting and driving is illegal in 47 states, including Texas. Sending, receiving, and responding to text messages while operating a vehicle is one of the most dangerous forms of distracted driving. Simply put: if you are texting, you are not looking at the roadway and focusing on the primary task at hand of driving.
The consequences of taking your eyes off the road, for any amount of time and at any speed, can be severe. Texting and driving puts your life in danger and the lives of passengers, other motorists, motorcyclists, pedestrians, and bicyclists in jeopardy. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distraction-affected crashes involving mobile phone use lead to at least 476 fatalities and an estimated 30,000 injuries in 2015.
When examining the unique dangers posed by texting and driving, it is easy to understand why the majority of U.S. states have chosen to ban the practice outright. There are three main types of distracted driving: visual, manual, and cognitive. Taking part in one of the three types of distraction puts yourself and others in a great amount of danger.
Texting and driving involves each of the three types of distractions — taking your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel of the vehicle, and your mind off the task of driving. Manipulating a phone while driving is a horrible combination that results in many auto accidents, injuries, and deaths each year in America.
There are many other kinds of distracted driving that can lead to the same catastrophic accidents and resulting injuries as texting and driving.
The following information regarding distracted driving is provided by NHTSA:
If you or a loved one have been injured in a motor vehicle crash involving a driver that was texting while driving, contact Thomas J. Henry. Our firm has experience handling auto accidents caused by distracted drivers and a proven record of winning these types of cases for severely injured clients. We can help you get the compensation you need to cover medical costs and lost wages if an individual or a company driver caused your injury by partaking in such a reckless and dangerous activity. Call today for a free case review.