Texting While Driving Accidents in Dallas-Fort Worth
Texting while driving is illegal in Texas and just as dangerous as drunk driving. Here's what you need to know about distracted driving crashes.
⚠️ Texas Texting Ban
Texas law prohibits reading, writing, or sending text messages while driving. Violation is a Class C misdemeanor with fines up to $99 (first offense) or $200 (repeat offenses).
Why Texting Is So Dangerous
Texting combines all three types of distraction:
- Visual: Eyes off the road for 5+ seconds
- Manual: Hands off the wheel to type
- Cognitive: Mind focused on the conversation, not driving
At 55 mph, looking at your phone for 5 seconds means driving the length of a football field blindfolded.
Texas Distracted Driving Laws
What's Prohibited:
- ✗ Reading, writing, or sending text messages while driving
- ✗ Any cell phone use in school zones (handheld)
- ✗ All cell phone use for drivers under 18
- ✗ All cell phone use for bus drivers with passengers
What's Allowed:
- ✓ Hands-free calls (Bluetooth, speakerphone)
- ✓ GPS navigation
- ✓ Music apps (if set before driving)
- ✓ Emergency calls to 911
🏙️ Local Ordinances
Some DFW cities have stricter rules. Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, and many others have hands-free ordinances that ban ALL handheld phone use while driving.
Proving the Other Driver Was Texting
Proving distraction can be challenging but not impossible. Evidence includes:
- Phone records: Subpoena shows texts/calls at crash time
- Witness statements: Others who saw phone use
- Police report notes: Officer observations
- Crash characteristics: No braking, straight into collision
- Admission: Sometimes drivers admit they were on their phone
- Dash cam footage: Yours or other drivers'
Common Distracted Driving Crash Types
- Rear-end collisions: Failing to notice stopped traffic
- Drifting into other lanes: Causing sideswipe or head-on crashes
- Running red lights/stop signs: Missing traffic controls
- Pedestrian/cyclist hits: Not seeing people in crosswalks
- Single-vehicle crashes: Drifting off road into objects
What to Do After a Distracted Driving Crash
- 1. Document everything – Photos of the scene and damage
- 2. Look for witnesses – Did anyone see phone use?
- 3. Note their behavior – Were they still on their phone after the crash?
- 4. Tell the police – Report your suspicion they were distracted
- 5. Don't let them delete evidence – Phone records can be subpoenaed
- 6. Get medical attention – Document all injuries
- 7. Contact an attorney – They can subpoena phone records quickly
- 8. Get your crash report – Set up monitoring
Compensation in Distracted Driving Cases
If you prove the other driver was texting, you can recover:
- Medical expenses and future treatment
- Lost wages and earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Potentially punitive damages (for gross negligence)
Hit by a Distracted Driver?
Get your crash report fast. It may contain evidence of distraction.
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