Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of accidents in Arizona and across the entire United States, with cell phones and smart phones being an especially common way for drivers to distract themselves behind the wheel. Even though this behavior is expressly illegal under Arizona state law, far too many people in the Phoenix metro area still choose to do it, and sometimes—as you may have unfortunately learned—they cause serious traffic collisions as a result.
If you are dealing with injuries you suffered in a texting while-driving car accident in Chandler, which you were not at fault for, you have help available from a seasoned auto accident attorney for pursuing fair financial recovery. No matter what losses you have sustained or what experience—if any—you have with civil litigation, Phillips Law Group can guide you through the legal process and ensure your claim has the best possible resolution.
What Does State Law Say About Texting and Driving?
It is against the law in the Grand Canyon State to use any kind of handheld portable electronic device while operating a motor vehicle unless the device is being used in hands-free mode. This prohibition applies not just to cell phones and smartphones but also to devices like tablets, laptop computers, and music players, and supporting one of these devices with any part of the body qualifies as holding it in this context.
Under Arizona Revised Statutes § 28-914, someone who violates this rule is subject to civil penalties. Separately, though, violating this law also constitutes a violation of the duty of care all drivers have to act lawfully and safely on the road. Someone who gets involved in a Chandler car wreck while violating this texting while driving law could be held civilly liable for that wreck based on their negligence.
Suing a Texting Driver for Specific Damages
Of course, the easiest way to prove someone was texting behind the wheel prior to getting into a traffic accident in Chandler is to see if there is a traffic citation for texting and driving included in the accident report written by police who responded to the scene. If there is no such citation or no accident report at all, a skilled lawyer can help gather and effectively present other forms of evidence like witness testimony, dashboard/traffic camera footage, and subpoenaed cell phone records.
Either way, someone found at fault for causing a crash through this sort of misconduct can be made to pay financially for every negative effect that crash will have on the injured person filing suit, including:
- Medical bills
- Physical pain and suffering
- Lost work wages and working capacity
- Emotional and psychological trauma
- Car repair/replacement costs and other expenses related to personal property damage
- Lost enjoyment of life and other intangible effects of permanent disfigurement/disability
Once again, support from capable legal counsel can be key to identifying compensable damages and maximizing available recovery.
Contact a Chandler Attorney for Help With a Texting While Driving Lawsuit
Almost all traffic accidents could have been prevented if everyone involved had acted responsibly, and texting while driving car accidents in Chandler are certainly no exception. However, proving that a specific person’s specific irresponsible act was the main cause of a wreck like this can be much more difficult in practice than many people expect.
Working closely with a knowledgeable legal professional can make a world of difference in how effectively and efficiently you can enforce your rights. Call Phillips Law Group today to speak with one of our team members about your potential case.