Distracted drivers cause thousands of deaths each year. Texting while driving is one of the worst types of distracted driving.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, it takes five seconds to send or read a text. During that time, the driver’s eyes are off the road and on their phone. At 55 mph, the vehicle can travel the length of a football field in that time period.
If you have been injured in a car accident, we want to help you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Contact our law office in Boston, Massachusetts, to schedule a free consultation with one of our Boston car accident attorneys.
How Our Boston Car Accident Lawyers Can Help if You’ve Been Hurt in a Texting and Driving Accident
Texting and driving is dangerous. If a distracted driver caused your accident, they owe you compensation. Plain and simple. Our Boston car accident lawyers can help you seek that compensation.
Our lawyers at Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP have over 100 years of combined legal experience. We’ve recovered millions of dollars for clients in jury awards and settlements. Our legal team is dedicated to protecting your best interests and fighting to get you the most money possible for your injury claim.
When you hire our legal team, you can expect us to:
- Investigate how the car crash occurred and identify all parties who were responsible for causing the collision
- File claims with insurance companies and handle all matters related to the claim
- Gather and preserve evidence proving the other driver is liable for your injuries
- Document your damages and calculate the maximum value for your accident claim
- Negotiate with the insurance company for full compensation of all damages
- Aggressively pursue all legal avenues to protect your right to fair compensation, including filing lawsuits and arguing the case in court
Our Boston personal injury lawyers handle all types of motor vehicle accidents.
The hands-free while driving law in Massachusetts went into effect on February 22, 2020. Drivers are prohibited from using any electronic device while driving unless the device is used in hands-free mode. In addition, drivers under the age of 18 years cannot use any electronic devices, even in hands-free mode.
The fine for a first offense is $100. A second offense results in a $250 fine and mandatory completion of a distracted driving education program. Third and subsequent offenses have a fine of $500 and mandatory completion of the educational program for distracted driving.
What Types of Injuries Are Caused by Texting and Driving Accidents?
Distracted driving continues to be a serious public safety concern in the United States. The injuries caused by distracted driving accidents can be severe.
Examples of injuries in texting and driving accidents can include:
- Internal organ damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Amputations and loss of limbs
- Pinched nerves
- Loss of bodily functions
- Back and neck injuries, including whiplash
- Paralysis and spinal cord injuries
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Wrongful death
A victim may never be able to work or enjoy life again the way they did before the crash due to these and other injuries.
What Types of Damages Can I Recover for a Texting and Driving Accident in Boston?
Generally, accident victims are entitled to economic and non-economic damages for a car accident claim. The types of damages depend on the facts of your case, but you could receive money for your:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent impairments and disabilities
- Future loss of income and reduced earning potential
- Ongoing medical bills and personal care costs
- Loss of enjoyment of life
The insurance company for the other driver will downplay your damages and try to undervalue your claim. Massachusetts comparative fault rules will reduce your damages if you share blame for the accident and bar you from recovering compensation if you are over 50% at fault.
You should seek prompt medical attention for your injuries, follow your doctor’s treatment plan, and seek legal advice from an experienced Boston texting and driving lawyer to protect your claim.
Proving Liability for a Texting and Driving Accident in Boston
You have the burden of proving that another driver caused your collision by texting and driving to recover compensation for your injuries.
Your lawyer may subpoena the cell phone records for the other driver to prove that the driver was texting and driving at the time of your crash. This information can help prove that the driver was distracted when the crash occurred.
During the investigation, your lawyer may also search for video evidence of the collision from traffic cameras and nearby surveillance cameras. Eyewitness testimony can also be an important factor in proving liability for the accident.
Because texting and driving are against the law, it can help you establish liability even though you may not have other evidence proving fault.
An experienced attorney understands how to use this information to build a case against the other driver under negligence per se.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Boston Texting and Driving Lawyers
Texting and driving accidents can be avoided. Drivers should put down their phones while on the road. Our experienced Boston personal injury attorneys are here to help you get justice after a terrible car crash.
Request a free case review with one of our Boston texting and driving accidents attorneys. You have a limited amount of time to file your claim under the Massachusetts statute of limitations.
