Distracted driving has become one of the top causes of motor vehicle collisions. Thousands of crashes occur every year because drivers try to split their attention between another activity and operating a motor vehicle.
In many cases, mobile devices are the primary source of distraction. Missouri state lawmakers have adopted a hands-free statute that prohibits people from manually using mobile devices while operating vehicles. Despite the law and the widely acknowledged risk of texting while driving, it still remains a common practice.
If a distracted driver causes a crash, the other people affected may want to hold them accountable. Is it necessary to prove that someone texted while driving before a wreck?
Distraction demonstrates unsafe driving
Proving that someone drove distracted could be possible. There are numerous ways for those alleging that distracted driving caused a crash to gather evidence of what happened. Police officers or lawyers can request mobile phone records that prove someone was sending text messages or on social media when the crash occurred.
That could be enough to prove that the driver at fault was distracted at the time of the wreck. Securing phone records may not be necessary. There could also be witnesses or cameras nearby that can help validate allegations of distracted driving.
Thankfully, even if a motorist cannot prove someone else was distracted at the time of a crash, they may still be able to hold the other driver accountable. Distraction is dangerous because it leads to mistakes in traffic.
It may be possible to prove that the other driver was at fault without necessarily validating the allegations of distracted driving. A motorist is just as responsible for the financial aftermath of a crash caused by negligent conduct as they are for collisions resulting from misconduct or violations of the law.
Distracted drivers who cause crashes may have to provide insurance coverage that can compensate those involved in a wreck they’ve caused. They could also be at risk of personal injury lawsuits brought by the people who sustained injuries in the collision. Proving that distraction caused a motor vehicle collision can be helpful but is not always necessary for those people affected by a wreck.