Texting behind the wheel is illegal in Oklahoma and in most other states. Unfortunately, many people still engage in the dangerous habit and put others at risk.
Why is texting and driving dangerous?
Texting and driving is dangerous because it creates three key types of distractions. Reaching for a cellphone is a manual distraction. Glancing at a cellphone to read or compose a text message results in visual and cognitive distractions. Your eyes must be on the phone and your mind wanders to your texts.
These three distractions take your attention off the road and your driving, which makes for a dangerous situation. Even if your focus is on your cellphone for five seconds, you can still end up in a serious car crash that can leave people injured or even dead. It’s not worth the risk.
What types of damages can you seek for your injuries?
Injuries sustained in a car crash caused by a driver distracted by texting can range from mild to severe. If you have been harmed, you are legally entitled to file a claim for compensation. Depending on the situation in your case, you might have a claim for both economic and non-economic damages. Your compensation can be for the following damages:
- Medical expenses
- Ongoing medical care and treatment
- Property damage such as repairs to your vehicle
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Lost wages
- Lost future earning capacity
- Loss of enjoyment of life
If the at-fault driver denies that they were texting while driving, it’s possible to prove them wrong. Obtaining cellphone records from their carrier is a good source of evidence to show they were doing just that at the time of the accident.
