Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer
Fierce Advocacy, Full Recoveries & Justice for Distracted Driving Accident Victims
Distracted drivers kill about 8 people every day on the roads in Louisiana, Texas, and across the nation (source: CDC). Tragically, distracted driving accidents, injuries, and deaths can happen in a matter of seconds, and many of them are 100% avoidable.
Whenever inattentive drivers cause crashes, victims don’t have to recover alone. Then can get help, answers, and exceptional representation from a 5-star distracted driving accident lawyer at Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers.
Backed by 20 years’ experience and a reputation for excellence, we are devoted to helping negligence victims recover and get justice. No matter how challenging the case or opposition may be, our distracted driving accident attorneys have the skills, knowledge, resources, and tenacity to achieve successful resolutions and the maximum available recoveries when it matters most.
That’s why we’re known as some of the top distracted driving accident lawyers throughout Louisiana and Texas — and it’s why you can trust us when it’s time to fight for justice and win fair, full compensation.
Whenever you need answers about your legal options after a distracted driving car crash, simply contact Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers. We are here, ready to help 24/7.
Call 888-492-5532 or Email Us for a Free, Confidential Consultation 24/7
Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers has an unmatched record of success in all types of distracted driving accident cases. Let us make your claim and recovery our next victory.
Click on a link below to jump directly to any section and get more answers about distracted driving accidents and what victims need to know in the aftermath of these car crashes.
- What Is Distracted Driving?
- Texas & Louisiana Cellphone Laws & Bans for Drivers
- Distracted Driving Accident Statistics
- Who Can I Sue After a Distracted Driving Accident in Louisiana or Texas?
What Is Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving occurs when motorists divert their attention away from the roads and the task of driving to do anything else. In general, there are three forms of distractions that can impact motorists. Those include:
- Manual distractions: These are activities or actions that cause motorists to remove their hands from the steering wheel. They can include fidgeting with car radios, eating, shaving, or applying makeup while driving.
- Visual distractions: Causing motorists’ eyes to look at anything but the roads, visual distractions can include items inside or outside of a vehicle, like scenery on the side of the roads, passengers in the backseat, or items on the floor of the vehicle.
- Cognitive distractions: Diverting drivers’ minds from the task of driving, cognitive distractions can involve talking on cellphones, daydreaming, or road rage.
In today’s technologically advanced world, one of the biggest and most dangerous distractions for drivers are cellphones and, specifically, texting while driving. That’s because texting and cellphone use behind the wheel combines all three forms of distraction by:
- Taking motorists’ eyes off the roads and fixating them on cellphone screens
- Removing drivers’ hands from steering wheels, so they can hold and operate cellphones
- Diverting their minds from driving to whatever it is they’re doing on their phones (like texting, checking email, surfing the internet, playing games, and more)
These dangers can slow drivers’ response times, substantially increasing the risk of car accidents.
Texas & Louisiana Cellphone Laws & Bans for Drivers
Given the prevalence and risks of distracted driving, most states have passed laws restricting texting and cellphone use behind the wheel.
The following table provides an overview of the cellphone driving laws enacted in Louisiana and Texas (source: GHSA). In all cases, these laws are “primary laws,” meaning violations of these laws are grounds for traffic stops and citations.
| State | Bans on Hand-Held Cellphones | Cellphone Bans for School Bus Drivers | Cellphone Bans for Newly Licensed Drivers | Texting While Driving Ban |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana |
Driving in school zones
100% ban for motorists with learner’s or intermediate licenses |
Yes | Yes, for drivers younger than 18 | All drivers |
| Texas |
Driving in school crossing zones
Driving on public school property |
Yes, with minor passengers | Yes, for drivers younger than 18 | All drivers |
Failure to comply with these laws can result in various penalties, like traffic citations and expensive fines. It can also unnecessarily elevate the risk of car accidents, injury, and death. When drivers violate these laws and cause accidents, they can be liable for the injuries, suffering, and harm resulting from their negligence.
Distracted Driving Accident Statistics
To get a better idea of common and dangerous distracted driving is — and how often it causes auto wrecks — check out some of the latest distracted driving accident statistics below (sources: NHTSA & CDC):
- About 1 in 5 of deaths caused by a distracted driving accident involves a pedestrian, a bicyclist, or someone not in a vehicle.
- More than 3,100 people are killed every year in distracted driving wrecks. Another 400,000 others are injured in these crashes.
- About 1 in 4 deadly distracted driving crashes involves a motorist who is between the ages of 20 and 29.
- The drivers who are most vulnerable to distraction are typically between 15 and 19. Along with cellphones, other teen passengers can be major sources of distraction for teen drivers.
- Distracted driving accidents are on the rise, despite state cellphone bans. In fact, since 2010, deadly distracted driving crashes have surged by nearly 11%.
These statistics are eye-opening, but they don’t begin to describe the profound trauma victims can suffer in distracted driving wrecks. When it’s time to recover from that trauma, it’s time to contact Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers.
Who Can I Sue After a Distracted Driving Accident in Louisiana & Texas?
You may be able to sue the distracted driver who caused the accident — and possibly others — depending on when the accident happened and what evidence you have to prove fault. It’s also important to figure out if the statute of limitations (filing deadline) for the case has passed because there isn’t a lot of time to file these cases in Louisiana or Texas.
The best way to get an answer to this question is to talk to a distracted driving accident lawyer at Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers. We can explain:
- Liability and the deadlines for your potential claims(s)
- How to hold negligent drivers (and others) accountable
- The next steps to start a case and the big picture, so you know what to expect as you move forward
Talk to a 5-Star Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer 24/7
Don’t wait to get answers and advocacy after a distracted driving car accident. If you were hit because the other driver wasn't paying attention, time to pursue justice is limited, and the road to recovery can be paved with all sorts of obstacles.
The distracted driving accident attorneys at Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers know the challenges victims can face — and we are extraordinarily skilled at overcoming even the toughest roadblocks to help victims like you secure the compensation and justice they may deserve.
Strategic, tireless, and fearless, we know how to win inside and outside the courtroom, and we are proud to provide the advocacy and support we would expect if we were in your shoes. Discover the difference our team can make in your case and recovery by contacting us today.
Call 888-492-5532 or Email Us for a Free, Confidential Consultation. Your path to justice can start with a call or an email.
