Few things are more frightening than spotting a driver who is staring down at their phone or another distraction headed right for you, oblivious to your presence. Distracted driving accidents can be terrifying - and are generally completely preventable. The frustrating thing about car accidents involving an inattentive driver is how easily the at-fault party could have prevented the accident just by paying attention to the road. Distracted driving is not only dangerous, but it may be illegal in certain scenarios. Using a cell phone while driving may earn Texas drivers a ticket except in certain circumstances. If you were injured by a driver who was distracted by their cell phone or any other attention-grabbing stimuli other than the road, they may be financially liable to you for your injuries and other damages. It is generally best to work with an attorney while pursuing compensation for a distracted driving accident.
Can Texas Drivers Use Cell Phones at All?
Cell phones are a very, very common culprit in distracted driving accidents. While Texas state law allows drivers over the age of 18 to talk on their phones using hands-free technology, some cities and municipalities have enacted their own ordinances prohibiting even this use of a phone.
Otherwise, drivers in Texas may only use their phones in limited situations. For example, a driver may use their phone while stopped at a red light. Devices may also be used for things like navigation and playing music, if the car itself is not equipped with these integrations. Vehicles with integrated infotainment systems are still relatively new, and there is not yet a significant amount of legislation pertaining to their use.
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