New Mexico Texting and Driving Lawyer
Albuquerque car accident attorney dedicated to helping injured motorists
Texting while driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents in New Mexico. Nearly one in five car accidents statewide are caused by distracted drivers, according to the New Mexico Department of Transportation. That makes distracted driving, which includes texting while driving, the leading cause of car accidents in New Mexico.
Texting and driving in New Mexico is a primary offense, meaning that a police officer can stop and cite a driver specifically for distracted driving. While police do their best to curb texting and driving, some drivers who engage in this distracting behavior go under the radar. If their negligence caused your car accident, consulting with an experienced Albuquerque texting while driving attorney who help you seek the justice you deserve.
Were you hit by someone who was texting and driving in New Mexico?
Attorney Andras Szantho has helped hundreds of car accident victims, like yourself, maximize their compensation. He can fight for you every step of the way, from thoroughly investigating your crash to negotiating a settlement offer on your behalf or fighting for you in court. Contact attorney Szantho and find out how he can help you.
Why does texting and driving cause accidents?
Juggling other tasks while driving is never safe, no matter how skilled a driver may think he or she is. It only takes a split second of being immersed in your handheld device to cause an accident that results in a severe or deadly injury to another driver.
Texting and driving is a type of distracted driving. More than 3,000 people nationwide on average die each year in motor vehicle accidents caused by distracted drivers, especially texting drivers, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
What are the dangers of texting and driving?
Drivers who take their eyes off the road for only a few seconds run the risk of rear-ending another driver during a traffic jam, causing a head-on collision on a curvy road or broadsiding another car at an intersection. The damage caused by an inattentive driver can be catastrophic, resulting in severe and life-threatening injuries.
Car accidents caused by texting and driving often include:
- Rear-end accidents: These car accidents can happen when traffic slows down, at a traffic light, at a stop sign or when a car is turning right from a side street.
- Head-on collisions: Although these car accidents are very rare, texting and driving can cause a driver to veer into oncoming traffic.
- T-bone accidents: A driver who is preoccupied with his or her handheld device could end up running a stop sign or traffic light, resulting in a T-bone accident.
- Lane-departure accidents: Motorists who text and drive on multi-lane roads run the risk of sideswiping other nearby vehicles.
- Accidents with bicyclists and pedestrians: Texting and driving is often the culprit behind accidents with bicyclists and pedestrians. This happens when a driver fails to see a crosswalk or veers into a bike lane.
- Single-vehicle accidents: Car accidents with poles, trees, guard rails, buildings, and other stationary objects are common when drivers are distracted by texting.
How to prove the other driver was on their phone
If the negligent actions of a distracted driver texting on their cellphone caused your crash, you may think that filing an insurance claim is enough to be compensated for your losses. But it’s often not that simple.
For example, a texting driver who caused your collision might deny texting while driving. You will likely need to gather evidence like cellphone records, video of the crash from nearby surveillance cameras, police reports, witness testimony, and other facts. A New Mexico texting and driving accident lawyer can do this work for you. Attorney Szantho has a track record of success throughout New Mexico. He can be by your side every step of the way demanding access to these records and gathering other evidence in support of your injury claim.
A New Mexico texting and driving accident lawyer you can trust
Even if the driver admits to texting while driving, insurance companies will often take advantage of injured motorists who don’t know their rights. They may downplay the extent of your injuries or attempt to deny your claim. If they’re feeling generous enough, they might offer you a lowball settlement that only covers a small portion of your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering. But you should not accept an offer from an insurance company without first consulting with an experienced attorney.
Attorney Szantho understands how the process works after a car accident caused by texting and driving. He can gather important details from your police report, interview witnesses and review your medical evaluation in an effort to build a strong claim. He also knows how to negotiate with the negligent driver’s insurance company for a fair settlement. The last thing insurance companies want is to go to trial. But if they refuse to budge, attorney Szantho is fully prepared to take them to court. Your case is about more than just money. It’s about holding negligent drivers accountable for their actions in order to prevent further car accidents caused by texting and driving.
Contact the Szantho Law Firm today for a free and confidential case evaluation with a New Mexico texting and driving accident lawyer you can trust. Or simply call 866-853-2462 to schedule an appointment today. We have two offices conveniently located in Albuquerque and Santa Fe.