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Cell Phone Use Involved In Texas Crash Leading To Jury Award

Cell Phone Use Involved In Texas Crash Leading To Jury Award

Cell Phone Use Involved In Texas Crash Leading To Jury Award 150 150 CMZ Law Lufkin/Houston

Can you be awarded damages if you were injured in an auto accident that involved call phone use?

Automobile accidents are one of the most common causes of injury and death in the United States. The use of cell phones has made driving much more dangerous activity than it once was.  It is estimated that drivers distracted by cell phones cause as many as one quarter of the country’s car crashes every year. If you were injured in a car crash that occurred because another driver was distracted by cell phone use, you may be entitled to compensation just as in a recent case coming out of the State of Texas.

In 2013, an unnamed plaintiff was operating a pickup truck near an intersection in Dallas when another driver, which was distracted by the use of his or her cell phone, caused a collision. The plaintiff was seriously hurt and allegedly had to undergo months of medical treatment for injuries to his or her back and wrists. The plaintiff brought suit and a jury decided that a $138,504 verdict should be awarded.

What is interesting about this case is that it actually involves a modest award. Depending upon the circumstances of the case and the injuries sustained by the plaintiff, these cases are known to involve verdicts ranging from hundreds of thousands to tens of millions of dollars. Even if a case settles, it is likely that the plaintiff will receive significant compensation.  For example, in 2012, a distracted driving case from the same state fetched $22 million. It is also important to remember that distracted driving does not only include talking on a cell phone. A person can be held liable for distracted driving for various types of cell phone use, including texting, checking emails and using social media, among other things. If you or someone you love sustained injuries at the hands of a distracted driver, you should speak to a qualified personal injury attorney today.