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Locklin & Coleman, PLLC - Put Our Experience On Your Side

9253 Mosby Street | Suite 100 | Manassas, VA 20110

Local: 703-659-1961
Toll-Free: 866-719-4394

CALL TO SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION
Virtual Consults Available At Request
We Operate On A Contingency Fee Basis

A Track Record Of Results In Personal Injury Litigation

Since we began representing victims of negligence, our lawyers have been committed to providing smart and aggressive representation in The Law Offices of Locklin & Coleman, PLLC

3 things to do if you’re hit by a texting driver

Car crashes often happen when least expected. You were traveling through a congested area, but you didn’t expect the driver straight ahead of you to slam into your vehicle.

You saw that the driver wasn’t looking up before the collision. He or she trying to say you crossed the center line when you know it’s the other way around. What should you do?

1. Look for witnesses

It’s sometimes hard to prove what you saw before a crash happened, but if you weren’t alone, then it can be a good idea to ask others what they saw and to ask them to relay that information to the police.

For example, if you saw a teen looking down at his or her phone before slamming into you and a witness can corroborate your story, that could help the police know that it’s likely she was on her phone and could give them a reason to ask the teen directly. If there is reason enough to look, an officer may seek out a warrant to review the teen’s phone records, which could indicate the time of the last text or call before the accident.

2. Be blunt

If you know what you saw, don’t be afraid to speak up. You’re hurt and in the position you’re in because of another person’s poor decision. It’s okay to tell the police outright that you saw the other person on his or her phone. If he or she was looking down, state that the driver wasn’t looking up at the time of the crash. There are likely to be other signs that the driver wasn’t paying attention that could help prove that he or she was at fault for the crash, but your confirmation could help the police know what to look for.

3. Be careful about what you say about your conduct

What you say after the accident about your conduct in a crash, such as what you say to insurance officers, can have big impacts. So, it can be important to exercise care when discussing this subject. It could be easy to wind up saying something that could inadvertently hurt your efforts to seek just compensation. So, it can be smart to seek out guidance when it comes to things like talking to insurers after being hurt in a crash caused by a texting driver.

These are a few tips that could help if you’re in a crash with a distracted driver. With good evidence and testimonies, and quality guidance, you may be able to put together a strong case for compensation.

Attorneys Brian P Coleman and Kevin L Locklin
FindLaw Network