Like the rest of the country, distracted drivers in Odessa, TX are a real problem. Driving is so commonplace that most people feel comfortable multitasking while behind the wheel. But not paying enough attention to the road is extremely dangerous. Whether a driver is fiddling with the radio or texting a friend, they’re more likely to cause a collision.
When you’re the victim of a driver’s careless inattention, you’re put in a difficult position. You’re hurt and need compensation for your pay your medical bills and repair your car. But you’ll only receive compensation if you can prove the other driver was at fault.
The Odessa auto accident attorneys at Kemmy Law Firm are here to help. We have decades of experience handling distracted driving accidents and millions recovered, we know what it takes to show fault.
Schedule a free initial consultation online or call (830) 264-6297. There’s no risk because there are no upfront costs and we’re only paid when you recover compensation.
Distracted Driving Statistics
Distracted driving is a serious problem in Texas. There were 97,782 distracted driver crashes in 2019, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. Across the state, distracted driving accidents included 2,060 serious crashes, 9,211 non-incapacitating crashes, 19,020 possible injury crashes, and 335 fatal crashes.
Distracted Driving Contributing Factors
Distraction can be visual, manual, or cognitive. So, in practice, it means a lot of different things. Data on distracted driving isn’t always broken down into individual categories, but cell phone use is a big factor. Other distractions could be talking, eating or drinking, grooming, reading, or reaching for things while driving.
In rural areas of Texas, distracted driving contributed to:
- Cell phone/talking: 205 crashes
- Cell phone/texting: 281 crashes
- Cell phone/other use: 522 crashes
- Cell phone/unknown use: 306 crashes
- Distraction in vehicle: 4,067 crashes
- Driver inattention: 18,477 crashes
Distracted driving contributes to crashes in urban settings too:
- Cell phone/talking: 425 crashes
- Cell phone/texting: 497 crashes
- Cell phone/other use: 1,075 crashes
- Cell phone/unknown use: 531 crashes
- Distraction in vehicle: 8,836 crashes
- Driver inattention: 68,090 crashes
Distracted Driving in Odessa
Distracted driving is a local issue in Midland-Odessa too.
In Ector County, TX, there were 620 distracted driving accidents in 2019. There also were five fatal crashes that led to six deaths. Distracted driving isn’t something that happens to other people. It can happen to you, friends, and loved ones.
How to Avoid Distracted Driving Accidents
The best way to avoid a distracted driving accident is to minimize the number of things demanding your attention while you drive. You can’t control what other drivers do, but you can make sure you’re a safe driver.
- Don’t try to eat or drink while driving. Instead, take the time to eat at home, at the restaurant, or even in the parking lot.
- Make sure you have enough time to get ready before hitting the road, and don’t attempt to do your hair or makeup while driving.
- Don’t use your cell phone. If you desperately need to answer a text or make a call, pull over into a parking lot. It’ll only take a few minutes, and you can be confident you aren’t putting yourself or others in danger.
Were You Hurt by a Distracted Driver?
When you suffer injuries because of distracted driving in Odessa, TX, we recommend you talk with a car accident lawyer right away. If you have started the claim process or want to seek compensation, you have to prove the other driver was at fault. We get started on that by gathering evidence right away, including a copy of the police report, photos, video, and eye witness testimony.
The basic facts might be enough to prove the other driver was distracted and caused the crash. But if your case is more complicated than that, we’re prepared to file a personal injury lawsuit. During litigation, we can depose the other driver, any passengers in their vehicle, and obtain their cell phone records. We’ll get to the bottom of what went on in their car at the time of the accident.
Contact Kemmy Law Firm for Help
When you or a loved one have been hurt in a crash, the personal injury lawyers with Kemmy Law Firm want to help you secure compensation for your physical, emotional, and financial injuries. We know nothing can take back what’s happened, but we want to guide you through the legal process and hold the distracted driver responsible for the harm they’ve caused.
To learn more about how we handle distracted driving accidents in Odessa, call (830) 264-6297 or use our online form.
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