Plano Distracted Driver Accident Attorney

Attorney Doug Goyen Distracted drivers cause approximately 391,000 injuries and nearly 3,500 deaths in the United States each year, according to the Texas Department of Insurance. Over 100 people are killed in car accidents every day. Nine of the fatalities were caused by distracted driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported in 2018 that the number of people injured in distraction-related crashes was estimated to be 400,000, accounting for 15% of all injured people. In 2018, approximately one in every five people killed in distracted driving crashes were not in vehicles; they were walking as pedestrians, riding their bikes, or otherwise outside of a vehicle. If you are needing a Plano distracted driver accident attorney, contact our experienced legal team today.

Call For A Free Case Review (972) 599 4100

The Law Office of Doug Goyen's experienced Plano car accident attorneys are dedicated advocates for people injured in distracted driving accidents. Our mission is to protect your rights, hold responsible parties accountable, and seek full compensation for your injuries under the law. If you have been injured in a distracted driving accident, our Plano distracted driver accident attorney can assist you.

WHAT IS DISTRACTED DRIVING?

Person using cellphone while driving Distracted driving is most commonly associated with the use of a hand-held electronic device, most commonly a cell phone, while driving. However, distracted driving can also refer to a variety of other common driving practices, such as:

  • Driving while on the phone,
  • Emailing or texting while driving,
  • Eating, drinking, or smoking while driving are all examples of activities that fall into this category,
  • Talking with another passenger in a distracting manner,
  • Looking for something in the glove box, on the floor, or between the seats while driving.

Texting is the most dangerous distraction, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Sending or reading a text message takes your attention away from the road for 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that's equivalent to driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed.

You cannot drive safely unless you give your full attention to the task of driving. Any non-driving activity is a potential distraction and increases your chances of crashing. Distracted drivers endanger passengers, other drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists by taking their eyes off the road.

If you are injured by a distracted driver, severe injuries may limit your quality of life. Hospitalization, medical bills, surgeries, medications, and physical therapy may cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars. In these cases, you are entitled to fair compensation for your injuries.

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RECOVERING COMPENSATION IN DISTRACTED DRIVER INJURY CASES IN TEXAS

Anyone who drives a car in Plano or anywhere else in Texas assumes a responsibility to others. Drivers must exercise care and caution to reduce the possibility of causing harm. Driving while distracted is a violation of this duty of care.

When you are injured in an accident due to a distracted driver, you may be entitled to compensation because someone else was negligent. Negligence occurs when someone fails to uphold a duty of care owed to you and you are injured as a result. If you can prove negligence, you may be able to recover a monetary award from those who are at fault.

Our Plano car accident lawyers at the Law Office of Doug Goyen will assist you at every step of the way. We'll look into your case and gather evidence to prove that you were hurt because another driver was distracted. We will collaborate closely with experts as we develop our arguments and build your case. We'll assess your losses, which could include:

  • Past and future medical bills
  • Rehabilitation and physical therapy
  • Property damage done to your vehicle or other property
  • Lost earning capacity both past and future
  • Physical impairment and any disfigurement
  • Mental anguish, including depression and PTSD
  • Pain and suffering, loss of services, and loss of consortium
  • Wrongful death damages for families of those killed
  • And other damages caused by the negligence

Once we know the value of those damages, we will engage in aggressive negotiations and, if necessary, go to trial to recover them on your behalf.

Call For A Free Case Review (972) 599 4100

TEXAS DISTRACTED DRIVING LAWS

Unless the vehicle is stopped, reading, writing, or sending electronic messages while operating a vehicle on a public roadway is a violation of Texas Transportation Code Section 545.4251. This section was added to Texas Transportation Code Section 545.425, which already prohibited the use of a cellphone or mobile device in a school zone. One exception to this rule is when you use it in a hands-free setting – in other words, it is illegal to play with it in your hands.

Using an electronic device while operating a vehicle on public school property is also a violation of Texas Transportation Code Section 545.4252. This section was added because a school parking lot is not a public roadway. As a result, you are not permitted to use your mobile device while driving, even in a public school parking lot or anywhere else on school property.

When it comes to drivers under the age of 18, Texas Transportation Code Section 545.425 is even stricter. A driver under the age of 18 is not only not permitted to read, write, or send messages on a mobile device, but they are also not permitted to use a hands-free device.

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DISTRACTED DRIVERS CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES

The penalties in Texas for using a device while driving are there for a reason. Victims of serious car accidents in Plano frequently sustain severe, life-altering injuries. Accidents caused by distracted driving can result in:

  • Head and brain injuries
  • Spinal cord damage, including paralysis
  • Serious back and neck injuries
  • Fractures/Broken bones
  • Loss of a limb
  • Burn injuries
  • Soft tissue injuries
  • Organ damage and injuries
  • Chest trauma and injuries
  • Fatalities caused by trauma

Our attorneys have the knowledge and experience to handle even the most complex injury cases. If you were injured, and need a Plano distracted driver accident lawyer, contact our experienced personal injury lawyer today to schedule a free consultation.

No Fee Unless You Win Call (972) 599 4100

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO HIRE A LAWYER IF YOU WERE INJURED BY A DISTRACTED DRIVER?

Much of the technology designed to make our lives easier has actually made driving and riding on the roads more dangerous for both drivers and passengers. While it appears obvious that distracted driving is dangerous driving, it is not always easy to determine what caused an accident. When you've been seriously injured, fighting for your right to compensation can be the most important thing you can do to protect yourself.

As a result, having someone who is familiar with the system by your side is essential. An experienced Plano personal injury lawyer will fight for a fair settlement or verdict in order to protect your future.

We have over 23 years of experience assisting Plano accident victims at the Law Office of Doug Goyen. It can be difficult to obtain the evidence you need to prove that driver distraction caused your accident. We understand what it takes to be successful.

When you hire us to represent your interests, we will put in the time and effort required to thoroughly investigate your case. This includes the following:

  • Cell phone records are subpoenaed.
  • Gathering video surveillance footage of the accident
  • Going to the accident site
  • Collaborating with experts to build the best case possible
  • Handling all insurance company negotiations so you don't have to
  • Putting together a case that will win in court if necessary

It can be difficult to accept that an accident could have been avoided by simply using a hands-free device. You should not have to bear the financial burden of an accident caused by another driver's failure to keep their eyes on the road.

Over the years, our attorneys have recovered millions of dollars for our clients. Call our reputable personal injury lawyers to learn how we can assist you in your case.

Call For A Free Case Review (972) 599 4100

FOR HELP TODAY, CONTACT AN EXPERIENCED PLANO DISTRACTED DRIVING ACCIDENT LAWYER

Our lawyers at the Law Office of Doug Goyen provide a free case review so that we can discuss your options. We also work on an as-needed basis. That is, we only collect attorneys' fees if we obtain a verdict or settlement in your case. To learn more, contact an experienced Plano distracted driver accident lawyer today.

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Client Reviews
★★★★★
You want a great lawyer who keeps you informed on whats going on speaks with you personally and gets the job done call Doug Goyen. He is excellent & very professional you wont go wrong choosing him!! Thanks again for all your help Mr. Goyen! Socorro V.
★★★★★
Very efficient staff. I am VERY pleased with this firm. Gina W.
★★★★★
Very professional job handling my accident claim. I had some ER bills, and some visits to my ortho after (and various other bills that kept coming in). I was afraid I was going to get stuck owing money, but Doug Goyen took care of the case and had everything paid, including compensating me for the injury. Great lawyer IMO. I felt like my case was taken care of very well. Thx!! Bernard M.
★★★★★
Doug is a great attorney. He took care of my auto accident claim promptly, and answered any questions I had. I also had one of my hospital bills go into collections for non-payment. I was able to contact Doug a year after the accident, and received a copy of the check the hospital claimed they didn’t receive. I highly recommend this guy. David J.
★★★★★
The Law Office of Doug Goyen helped me recovery every bit I was owed on my claim. Very happy I used them. They knew what they were doing, and kept me informed. I felt taken care of the whole way. You wont go wrong using them. Arthur H.
★★★★★
Mr. Goyen helped me take on my own insurance company, the great and mighty Allstate. My prior firm basically dumped me, with a permanent injury because the case didn’t meet their financial guidelines for a settlement. I was a bicycle rider hit by a car driver at an intersection, and Allstate was the company on BOTH SIDES OF THE CLAIM. My own insurance company tried to throw me under the bus to limit their payout! Without Mr. Goyen’s help, I would have been left with NOTHING! I had thousands of dollars in unpaid medical bills, unable to receive treatment to correct the issue. He was unafraid and helped me get the best settlement I could … I am tremendously thankful! Pamala M.