Social Media a Factor in San Antonio Distracted Driving Accident
After a recent head-on car accident in San Antonio that resulted in injuries, one of the drivers involved confessed to being distracted because she was scrolling through Instagram. Reading social media while driving is one of many examples of a distraction that can lead to a serious accident, and in Texas, it can not only result in civil liability in a personal injury lawsuit, but also criminal charges.
Texas Prohibits the Use of Social Media While Driving
Under Texas law, drivers are not permitted to read, write, or send an electronic message while their vehicle is in motion. While texting may be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of an electronic message, the law makes it clear that any readable data transmitted through a wireless device in order to communicate with another person is considered an electronic message, which includes an email or a social media post, like those found on Instagram. A driver in violation of this law can be fined at least $25 for a first offense and can be charged with a Class A misdemeanor if the offense causes someone else’s death or serious injury.
Pursuing Compensation from a Distracted Driver in Texas
If you have been seriously injured in a car crash due to another driver’s social media use or another distraction, it may not be enough to know that he or she could be facing criminal charges. In order to recover from the damages you have suffered, you should consider hiring a personal injury attorney who can help you file a lawsuit. It is important that you receive treatment for your injuries as soon as possible and that you collect any evidence you can from the scene of the accident, including photographs and witness testimony, as this can strengthen your case for compensation.
Your attorney can help you uncover additional evidence to support your claim of the driver’s negligence, possibly including police reports that speak to the driver’s distraction, video footage that shows the driver’s cell phone use, or phone records that show the driver’s negligent activity.
Contact a New Braunfels Distracted Driving Crash Lawyer
At The Bettersworth Law Firm, we are committed to holding negligent drivers accountable and pursuing full compensation for our clients. We have seen the dangers that distracted driving poses, and we will give you the personal attention you deserve as we fight for a fair outcome. Contact a New Braunfels personal injury attorney today at 830-443-9193 for a free consultation.
Sources:
https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/woman-admits-to-scrolling-through-instagram-as-cause-of-car-wreck
https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/TN/htm/TN.545.htm
