Beaumont Distracted Driving Accident Lawyers Pursue Justice for Victims

Aggressive Texas firm strives to deliver the best results

Everyone who gets behind the wheel of a car is expected to keep their eyes and mind on the road. When drivers let their attention wander, the consequences are often catastrophic. In 2018, there were 540,561 motor vehicle crashes on Texas roadways and of those, 18 percent were caused by driver distraction, inattention or cell phone use, according to the state Department of Transportation. The distracted driving crashes resulted in 394 deaths and 2,340 serious injuries. At the Bernsen Law Firm in Beaumont, our attorneys help victims of distracted driver accidents seek just compensation for their injuries and related losses. We thoroughly investigate the circumstances of the crash to make the strongest case possible that another driver’s negligence made them legally responsible.

What is distracted driving?

Distracted driving is a form of negligence — an essential element of proving a driver’s liability for a car accident. It encompasses any behavior that diverts a driver’s eyes, hands or mind away from the task of driving. Common distractions include:

• Cellphone use, especially texting and emailing
• Focus on dashboard GPS and other video displays
• Adjusting the car stereo
• Eating and drinking
• Personal grooming
• Reaching for objects
• Reading
• Carrying on conversations with passengers
• Looking at scenery

Texting and emailing while driving are particularly dangerous because they combine visual, manual and cognitive distraction.

Texas cellphone law as it pertains to distracted driving accidents

In 2017, the Texas Legislature joined the majority of states by passing a ban on reading, writing or sending electronic messages on cellphones while driving. Texting and reading or writing email are prohibited. However, illegal cellphone use is still not definitive evidence of negligence that caused an accident. To prevail in your case, you must prove a causal link, which often requires the skills and knowledge of an experienced personal injury attorney.

Attorneys skilled at proving a driver was distracted prior to an accident

As your counsel, it our job to gather evidence showing that another driver’s distracting activity led to the accident. Such evidence may include:

• Driver admissions — In the moments after an accident, a driver is likely to make an excited utterance that can be used in court. This can include statements, such as, “I only looked away for a second,” “I told you guys to pipe down,” and “Oh, no, what did I do?!” If you inform us of such statements, we can attempt to get the admission on record.
• Witness testimony — Passengers, other drivers and bystanders may have observed distractive behavior. We use our investigative skills to seek out witnesses, but it’s always helpful when the victim gets contact information from witnesses at the scene.
• Cellphone records — Once we file a lawsuit, we have the power to subpoena phone records which can reveal that a driver sent or received a text at the approximate time of the crash.

As an experienced law firm, we have the skills and knowledge needed to build a thorough case step by step and to negotiate positive settlements from a position of strength.

Call an experienced car accident attorney at our firm for a free consultation

Victims of distracted driving accidents deserve full fair compensation. The Bernsen Law Firm in Beaumont is fully committed to delivering the best result possible. We take car accident cases on a contingency basis, meaning that we only collect legal fees if your claim is successful. To schedule a free consultation with one of our personal injury attorneys, call us at 409-212-9994 or contact us online.