Unfortunately, texting while driving car accidents in Rio Rancho are not an uncommon occurrence. New Mexico has had some of the highest rates of distracted driving accidents in the US.
If you were in a collision with a texting driver, it is a good idea to speak with a car accident attorney as soon as possible. Insurance companies are not on your side, and it is often necessary to collect evidence early to prove that the at-fault driver was texting.
Distracted driving is one of the top causes of auto accidents in the country, and texting particularly increases the likelihood of a crash. This is because it combines all three types of driver distraction: cognitive, visual, and physical. A texting driver is not thinking about the road, cannot see it well, and cannot respond to traffic in time.
Texting while driving in Rio Rancho often leads to car accidents that could have been avoided, such as:
The state has made it illegal to read or send texts while driving, even when stopped at an intersection.
The texting driver typically faces the greatest costs after a Rio Rancho car collision. Since texting while driving is negligent, the driver may bear most or all of the legal responsibility for the accident. Under state law, that would mean they should cover most or all of the cost of the resulting damages.
Someone who was partly at fault for an accident can still recover some of their damages, reducing the potential damage award for anyone else involved. If, for example, a distracted driver was 90 percent responsible for an accident, they would owe the other driver 90 percent of their damages, but they would still have a claim for 10 percent of their own.
No matter how clear the circumstances seem, an accident survivor should talk to a Rio Rancho attorney familiar with texting while driving crash cases. Our lawyers could investigate the accident on your behalf and shield you from the insurance company’s pressure tactics.
Although it is technically a court’s job to determine the degree of responsibility, insurance companies settle most auto accident cases. Insurance adjusters investigate the site, then issue a report on the percentage of fault between the parties. However, this report may favor their own insured, helping them avoid paying the full cost of your damages.
Even if it seems obvious that a driver with a phone in their hand was negligent, the other driver in the accident still has to prove this to receive all the damages they need. Our attorneys could work to hold the texting driver fully accountable for the accident they caused.
When you are facing the pain and expenses related to a car accident, seeking help from an experienced local attorney is crucial. At the New Mexico Accident Firm, our lawyers are from here, and we do not take our clients for granted. Our care and experience are always available to you.
We are ready to help you with your next steps after texting while driving car accidents in Rio Rancho. Contact us today to discuss your case before any important deadlines pass.
