San Antonio Distracted Driving Law

Every single time you get behind the wheel of an automobile, you assume some amount of risk of a collision or traffic mishap. San Antonio is one of the fastest growing areas in the entire state of Texas and one of the most dangerous cities to drive in. In fact, almost 25,000 new residents moved into San Antonio city limits from 2015 to 2016, boosting the city’s ranking to third-most in the country over a one-year span.

As population density increases, so too does roadway, highway, and pedestrian traffic. Where there are these increased levels of traffic flow, there is increased risk of an accident. Statistics from San Antonio suggest that in 2013 alone, 154 drivers or passengers were killed in car accidents. In fact, San Antonio is ranked third in total car wreck deaths per Texas city, only behind the much larger metroplexes of Houston and Dallas. Three years later, in 2016, that number rose to 189, with an additional 809 fatal car wrecks occurring.

These numbers are only expected to continue to rise. Many of these instances include instances of distracted driving. In fact, distracted driving recently surpassed underage drinking in total number of yearly teen deaths in the United States.

Victims of another motorist’s negligence in a San Antonio auto accident may suffer debilitating injuries, devastating financial implications, and in some cases, even death. Distracted driving can take many forms with various degrees of driver negligence and accident severity, some of the most common of which include:

• Cell phone preoccupation
• Changing the radio station
• Reaching down for an object
• Smoking
• Eating
• Application of makeup
• Other passengers
• Noise sensitivity
• Changing dashboard settings

For years now, distracted driving laws across the state have focused on the consequences of cell phone use on the road, emphasizing specific circumstances such as school zones, motorists under the age of 18, and even the drivers of some special vehicles. The city of Austin notoriously maintains the most stringent of these regulations, becoming the first city to prohibit smartphone use in any capacity while operating a car or bicycle.

As of January 1, 2015, the entire state of Texas has officially banned the use of a cell phone while driving. The city of San Antonio is no exception, where local government attempts to strike a balance between Austin’s austere edicts and Texas legislation on the issue. As a result, the effectiveness of San Antonio distracted driving laws rival that of larger, more dense cities like Houston.

San Antonio’s distracted driving law, known as the ‘Hands Free Ordinance’, was formally enacted in 2014 and forbids the use of any hand-held phones to call, text, or otherwise engage in any sort of use when behind the wheel. Any motorist convicted of this offense can be fined and ticketed on site.

The number one method of prevention for car collisions involves the concept of ‘defensive driving’, or perpetual vigilance and awareness on the part of the motorist. Distracted driving can lead to all of the various forms of injury and damage as other road dangers like drunk driving, fatigued driving, and inclement weather.

If a driver is oblivious to their surroundings, they are unable to react swiftly and properly to obstacles. If you have been involved in a collision which has affected your life or the life of a loved one, the presence of an attorney may be your best option to obtain full compensation for damages and losses. Some of the most common areas of restitution which a lawyer can assist victims to obtain related to collisions include:

• Loss of wages
• Job loss
• Time away from work
• Physical rehabilitation
• Inability to return to work
• Hospital bills
• Medical bills
• Medication costs
• Surgery expenses

If you or someone you love has fallen victim to another motorist’s distracted driving, it is important to understand that various forms of San Antonio distracted driving laws have been implemented in order to protect your rights and hold all responsible parties accountable. As you navigate the filing of a distracted driving lawsuit, enlisting the services of an experienced team of lawyers will increase your chances of full compensation.

The San Antonio auto accident lawyers from Carabin Shaw have over 20 years of experience fighting for the rights of all victims in all manner of personal injury cases. Call our attorneys at our local office in San Antonio at 210-222-2288 or toll-free at 800-862-1260 for a free initial consultation to answer all your questions and further inquiries.