Advancing technology, such as smartphones, has its advantages but has also had a negative impact, especially on road and highway safety. Using electronic communication devices behind the wheel to read and write text messages is hazardous and puts the driver and everyone else traveling near them at significant risk of harm.
When a driver breaches their standard of care to practice safe operation of their vehicle and causes you harm as a result, personal injury laws protect you by allowing you to seek legal action and recover payment for your injuries and losses. Schedule a meeting with an accident attorney from Whetstone Perkins & Fulda after a texting while driving car accident in Columbia to review your case and potential options.
How Texting and Driving Causes Crashes
Texting requires motorists to divide their attention between the road and their phone, which studies show delays reaction times and impairs quick decision-making. Additionally, sending and reading messages requires a driver to remove their hands from the wheel and take their eyes off the road. This combination of distractions often results in catastrophic consequences.
Some examples of crashes caused by texting motorists include:
- Rear-end crashes resulting from a driver’s failure to see the car before them, slowing, and coming to a stop
- Head-on collisions caused by swerving over into the next lane and oncoming traffic
- Sideswipe accidents from swerving into the next lane of traffic heading in the same direction
- Pedestrian and bicycle accidents occurring from motorists fail to see a person crossing the street
- Crashes resulting from failing to stop for red lights and stop signs or give the right-of-way in intersections
Operating vehicles requires everyone to prioritize safety, avoiding the temptation to check their phones until they reach their destination or a safe location to pull over. A lawyer at Whetstone Perkins & Fulda, seasoned in claims involving texting while driving car crashes in Columbia, could conduct a detailed investigation to find the cause and at-fault party.
Compensation for a Texting While Driving Claim
A successful claim after a texting while driving car accident in Columbia could result in an injured motorist receiving compensation–also known as damages–to help return them to their position prior to the wreck. There are two main categories of damages: economic and non-economic. Economic damages are meant to reimburse an injured person for their financial losses, such as property damage, past, present, and future medical expenses related to the wreck, and lost income or earning capacity.
Non-economic damages are more subjective and include things like pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and a loss of enjoyment of life. Our diligent team can work closely with an injured person to determine all the ways an accident has impacted their life, ensuring any settlement amounts or awards adequately reflect the full extent of their needs.
Speak to a Qualified Injury Attorney
Texting and driving is as dangerous or more dangerous than driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs. Despite state laws and governmental campaigns to prevent collisions from occurring, it remains a primary cause of severe and fatal crashes in South Carolina and throughout the country.
When a driver’s thoughtless actions and recklessness cause you harm, you have the right to hold them responsible through a civil lawsuit. A compassionate and skilled Whetstone Perkins & Fulda lawyer could provide sound legal guidance and advice and help you reach the best potential outcome after a texting while driving car accident in Columbia. Call or contact us online to learn more.
