From the moment you first receive your driver’s license, driving is a privilege – a privilege that comes with certain duties and responsibilities. The Texas Transportation Code outlines what those duties and responsibilities are, and violations can be punishable under personal injury law. With a whopping population of 26 million residents, it’s no surprise the state of Texas reports some of the most frequent incidences of traffic accidents in the United States. The likelihood of you or a loved being involved in an auto accident are higher than you think. When you or a family member is involved in a car accident, it’s best to tackle the case with proper legal representation whether than trying to fare this stressful, emotional time alone.
There are two sides to this coin when it comes to personal injury law. This article will look at both sides of the coin.
- Legal responsibility
- Negligent violation
Legally, you have two basic responsibilities behind the wheel:
- Drive carefully
- Pay attention to the roadway
Failure to meet these responsibilities falls under the jurisdiction of personal injury law. The duties of a licensed driver may appear obvious, but experience with personal injury law has proven that these duties need to be spelled out in no uncertain terms.
Statistically, inattentive driving and following another car too closely are found to be root causes in personal injury law cases that involve roadway accidents. According to the NHTSA, these violations cause 88% of the rear-end collisions that are reported nationally each year.
The solution to the problem is stated within the law itself, “When following a vehicle, the operator shall maintain an assured and clear distance between other vehicles on the road; allowing for the speed of other vehicles, traffic, and weather conditions. In doing so, the driver can safely stop or correct their driving habits in order to avoid colliding with another vehicle, object, or person.
This directive is known as the 2-second rule in personal injury law.
Timing is Everything
A sober driver traveling at 50 miles per hour covers a distance of 110 feet in 1.5 seconds. It takes the same amount of time for another compliant driver to perceive and react to changes from the vehicle in front of them. That’s why you should always stay at least 2 seconds behind the vehicle in front of you. It allows enough time for a change in traffic to occur and for that change to be responded to by other drivers without causing a collision.
Breach of duty occurs when the driver fails to meet their responsibilities the transportation code outlines. Personal injury law has given us a traceable record of the most common behaviors that lead to breaches of driver duty in the Lone Star State. They are:
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Distractions from inside the vehicle
- Texting or talking on a cell phone
- Eating, drinking or applying makeup while behind the wheel
All of these factors either impair your perceptions or divide your attention while driving. You are more likely to commit violations if you’re pressed for reaction time.
To avoid collisions, injuries, license restrictions, and loss of driving privileges, experts in personal injury law such as the Amarillo personal injury attorneys at Stockard, Johnston, Brown & Netardus, P.C. in Amarillo, Texas recommend you minimize distractions and focus on the safe-distance driving habits you’ve been taught. With offices in Amarillo, Pampa and Borger, Stockard, Johnston, Brown, Netardus & Doyle, P.C. serves the Texas Panhandle. If you or someone you know is involved in an auto or car accident, it’s always a good rule of thumb to have a personal injury attorney you respect and trust on your side, such as one at Stockard, Johnston, Brown, Netardus & Doyle, P.C..