Don’t Text and Drive
A crash on the Gulf Freeway around 10:26 a.m. on Tuesday left a woman and her 8-year-old son dead. According to initial reports by Houston TranStar, the crash happened in the freeway’s northbound lanes near El Dorado Boulevard when a woman, 20- 24 years of age crashed the car she was driving into a concrete pillar. Houston Police Department spokesman said that the boy, who was in a booster seat at the time of the crash was still thrown from the vehicle on impact. The woman and her son were both transported to Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital where they died. A man who, was sitting in the front passenger seat of the vehicle was taken to Ben Taub Hospital and is listed in critical condition.
“According to my witnesses, she was driving and all of a sudden just lost control of the car for no apparent reason,” Officer David Knapp said. Police report that the vehicle was not speeding but there are unconfirmed witness reports that the driver may have been texting while driving at the time of the crash. Texting while driving is dangerous and should be avoided. According to a recent Virginia Tech study, a person who texts behind the wheel is 23 times more likely to be involved in a collision than drivers who do not text and drive and it is regarded as being even more dangerous than driving under the influence of alcohol. This is because, according to the same Virginia Tech study, drivers who text have their eyes off of the road an average of five seconds at a time. If you are driving 55 miles an hour and have your eyes off of the road for that length of time, you have travelled the equivalent length of a football field. Many states have laws banning the use of cellphones, and specifically texting, behind the wheel. Texas does not currently have such a law. The National Transportation Safety Board is urging all states to consider the complete ban of cellphones on roadways, including the use of hands-free technology.
If you or a loved one has been injured or has died in a fatal accident involving distracted driving, give our offices a call. We will take the time to discuss the specifics of your case and discuss all of your options. Our attorneys are dedicated in helping you receive the maximum compensation for any damages, injuries and even long term suffering. Having a good attorney on your side looking out for you can make the difference on how quickly and successfully your case is settled.