Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of traffic collisions in New Jersey, and cell phones are one of the most common sources of distraction for drivers. In fact, hundreds of people get pulled over and ticketed for texting and driving offenses in the Garden State each year, even though this behavior is illegal. Unfortunately, police aren’t always able to stop these drivers before they cause serious crashes through their negligence.
If you’ve been hurt in a texting while driving car accident in Mt Laurel that wasn’t your fault, you likely have grounds to file suit over your injuries and seek civil compensation for the losses those injuries will cause you. If you want a good chance of getting a great result from this type of claim, you want to get help from a skilled car accident lawyer as early as possible in the legal process.
Is Texting Behind the Wheel Always Negligent?
In New Jersey, it’s against the law for anyone in control of a motor vehicle to use a handheld electronic device for any purpose unless they’re using it to call 911 in an emergency situation. This means it’s illegal to text and drive, as well as watch a video, use a tablet or laptop computer, or do anything with a device that isn’t in hands-free mode and mounted to your dashboard.
Anyone who texts and drives is violating the duty of care they have under New Jersey law to act responsibly behind the wheel at all times. Someone who causes a traffic accident by violating their duty of care is legally negligent and can be made to pay financially for crash-related losses based on that negligence. If you can prove that someone else was texting behind the wheel right before they got into a car wreck with you in Mt Laurel, you almost always can hold them legally at fault for that wreck.
Proving Someone Else Was Texting and Driving
In some situations, proving that another person caused you harm by texting and driving can be as simple as referencing the accident report written by police officers who responded to the crash scene. If that report says that one of the drivers involved was issued a traffic ticket for texting and driving, that can be very strong evidence that they’re at fault for the wreck in legal terms and should have to pay for your losses.
If the police report doesn’t say anything about texting and driving related to a car accident in Mt Laurel, you need to prove on your own that texting behind the wheel was the main cause of your wreck, likely through evidence like:
- Witness testimony
- Dashboard or traffic camera footage
- Crash scene photos and videos
- Cell phone data showing when specific messages were read, typed, or sent
A seasoned lawyer can provide vital help with finding, collecting, and making good use of all available evidence during your unique claim.
Talk to a Mt Laurel Attorney About a Possible Texting While Driving Car Accident Lawsuit
Texting and driving is an extremely dangerous activity that makes it much more likely for you to get into a wreck. Nevertheless, a lot of people choose to distract themselves in this way while driving in New Jersey, sometimes causing life-altering harm to other people as a result.
Fortunately, you can take legal action with help from a respected car accident lawyer against anyone who hurt you through a texting while driving car accident in Mt Laurel. Call Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers today to learn more.
