Introduction
Cellular phones have completely taken over the civilization and how people interact with each other. Unfortunately, the increased use of technology has also seen distracted driving on the rise. In Texas, there has been the enactment of the Hands-Free Law which hopes to eliminate these dangers by prohibiting the use of handheld devices while operating a vehicle. Even so, this article also explains all the intricate details encompassing Texas Hands-Free Law, what it means for attorneys in Legal Practice Management and the role of Telehealth Medical Assistance in supporting lawyers in distracted driving cases.
What is the Hands-Free Law in Texas?
On the 1st of September 2017, the Hands-Free as it’s known saw the introduction of laws which banned motorists from using handheld devices to send or receive texts, exchange phone calls, or browse the internet while operating a vehicle. The Intended goal of this effective hands-free law was to achieve the reduction of distracted driving caused accidents which today ranks among top ten PHRRCN.
Key Provisions of the Hands-Free Law
- Prohibition of Handheld Device Use: Drivers cannot hold or use a mobile device while driving.
- Exceptions: The law allows for hands-free use of devices, such as Bluetooth or voice-activated systems.
- Penalties: Violating the Hands-Free Law can result in fines ranging from $25 to $99 for first-time offenders, escalating for repeat violations.
The Impact of Distracted Driving in Texas
Statistics on Distracted Driving
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, the figures reported indicate that over 100,000 cases of collision were reported as a result of misuse of hands free devices leading to around 3500 serious cases and over 400 deaths around this time in Texas. These highlights point out the purpose which this Hands Free law serves which is prevention of all these deaths.
Common Causes of Distracted Driving
- Texting and driving
- Use of social networks while driving.
- Misuse of GPS technology
- Use of mobile while driving.
Implications for Attorneys
Law practitioners who are engaged in drafting pleadings in relation to crashes caused due to phones should appreciate the purpose of this law. Practitioners should be ready for situations when there is a phone use aspect in the road traffic accidents I am addressing.
How Medical Record Review Services Assist Attorneys
Medical record review services provide attorneys with critical insights into the medical aspects of distracted driving cases. These services can help attorneys:
- Establish Causation: Medical evidence that suggests a correlation between the extent of injury sustained and the amount of medical records detailing all the events surrounding the accident and the injury are obtained.
- Assess Damages: Medical documents justify the bills of medical service incurred, costs of rehabilitation, as well as the need for further maintenance.
- The Employment of Medical Records: If there exist comprehensive documents, the case for compensation stands solid.
The Role of Medical Record Review in Legal Cases
What is Medical Record Review?
The review of medical records entails the detailed review of medical records as legal evidence or to assist in legal case preparation. This process is very important for the cases of personal injury which includes those arising from negligent auto accidents caused by distracted drivers.
Benefits of Medical Record Review for Attorneys
- High-quality check: Make sure every document entered before the courtroom does not leave any medical detail missing.
- Streamline usage: Application of gathering and assessing medical information becomes easier thus lawyers’ time is saved.
- Demands experts: Requires lawyers to have a clear understanding of what conditions and treatment proposals are to be accrued.
Case Studies
Case Study 1: Distracted Driving Accident
Overview of the Case: This case involved a 35 year old woman who was texting while driving and ended up hitting another car in a car accident. The aftermath of the accident included severe damage such as a busted leg and countless black and blue marks all over the body.
Challenges: The defense maintained that those injuries the plaintiff sustained were not related to the accident but were indeed chronic in nature.
Solutions: Medical record review services were used to search through the doctor’s records of the patient and it was consistent in proving that indeed the injuries were fresh and were as a result of the accident.
Case Study 2: Fatal Accident Due to Distracted Driving
Overview of the Case: On account of a handheld device being used by a driver, an accident took place and a family lost a loved one. So the family of the deceased decided to file for compensation.
Challenges: Establishing that there was a distraction on the part of the driver at the point of the accident was necessary for the case.
Solutions: Medical record review services demonstrated the result study of the plaintiff’s medical history and surveillance materials, namely, the reports on the accident, showing the cause – the distraction of the driver to the reason – the death of the victim suffered in the case.
Current Trends and Future Implications
Evolving Legal Landscape
The evolution of distracting driving is to be expected as the new technology keeps coming. It is necessary for lawyers to seek any possible changes in the legislation that can affect the Hands-Free Law.
The Importance of Medical Record Review Services
In an era of growing digitization, the significance of medical record review services can’t be downplayed. Since lawyers will be having more difficult cases due to more instances of distracted driving, the accuracy of the medical records as well as a full set of records will be important to use in the case. These services increase the level of legal assistance and enable victims to be compensated for the correct amount.
Conclusion
Texas’s Hands-Free Law is a crucial milestone that will aid in decreasing instances of distracted driving and increase overall traffic safety. For the lawyers, it is significant to grasp how this law works since it will be helpful when dealing with distracted driving cases. Medical record review service is crucial in assisting legal practitioners as it provides essential records and information which could sway the result of the case. Thus, by working with medical record review specialists, attorneys are likely to be in a position to assist their clients better and also enhance road safety in Texas.