Being in a car accident can be a confusing experience in Crowley, LA. But when the accident is caused by someone who is texting or otherwise distracted, it can be maddening. You didn’t deserve to be hurt, and you shouldn’t have to pay for someone else’s carelessness. Our personal injury firm can help you demand the compensation you deserve.
If you were hurt by a texter or other distracted driver, contact our Crowley distracted driving accident lawyer with Kenny Habetz Injury Law at (337) 329-8883. We offer a free case review where we can discuss your rights and options.
How Kenny Habetz Injury Law Can Help You After a Distracted Driving Car Accident in Crowley
Since 2010, the team at Kenny Habetz Injury Law has zealously represented the rights of accident victims. We know how to prepare a case for settlement negotiations and, if necessary, trial. It begins with a thorough investigation that identifies all at-fault parties and available legal theories. We compile information about your losses and demand maximum compensation on your behalf.
Trusted Crowley car accident lawyer Kenny Habetz has over a decade of experience, during which he has been honored by numerous organizations, including:
- National Trial Lawyer Top 100 Trial Lawyer and Top 40 Under 40
- Member ship in the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
Our team is ready to fight for you. Contact our car accident attorney in Crowley, Louisiana, for help with your claim today.
What Is Distracted Driving?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines distracted driving as anything that takes a driver’s attention away from the task of driving. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classifies distractions into three categories:
- Visual – Visual distractions take the driver’s eyes off the roadway. Examples of visual distractions include looking at passengers, tending to children in the backseat, and looking out the window.
- Manual – Manual distractions take a driver’s hands off the wheel. Manual distractions include eating, drinking, tending to a loose pet in the vehicle, using a navigation system, or adjusting controls in the vehicle while driving.
- Cognitive – Cognitive distractions take a driver’s mind away from the task of driving. Examples of cognitive distractions include talking on a cell phone, daydreaming, or worrying about traffic or other stressors.
While texting and driving is not the only form of distracted driving, it is considered one of the most dangerous types of distracted driving behaviors because it involves all three types of distractions.
How Common Are Distracted Driving Accidents?
According to the NHTSA, 3,522 people were killed in distracted driving accidents in 2021. Many more were injured. Despite these harrowing statistics, experts believe that these numbers are drastically underreported. This is because most people know that texting while driving is illegal, and they do not want to get in trouble.
What Is Louisiana’s Texting And Driving Law?
In Louisiana, it is illegal for a driver to do any of the following with a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle on any public road:
- Write, send, or read a text-based communication
- Access, read, or post to a social networking site
Drivers who violate this law can be ticketed with a fine of up to $500 for a first offense or up to $1,000 for a subsequent offense. If the distracted driver was involved in an accident, these fines double.
What To Do After a Distracted Driving Car Accident in Crowley
If you were involved in a distracted driving car accident, there are steps you can take to protect your claim, including the following:
- Check for injuries. You may be experiencing neck or back pain, which can indicate whiplash, a common injury that follows distracted driving car accidents.
- Call for an ambulance if anyone was injured in the accident.
- Report the accident to the police.
- Request the other driver’s information, including their name, contact information, and insurance information. Write down a description of their vehicle and any identifying information about it.
- Ask witnesses for their contact information.
- Take photos of the damage to both vehicles, the accident scene in wide shots, and close-ups of the damages and your injuries.
- Consider hiring a car accident lawyer. A lawyer will know how to get key evidence to prove your claim and can handle the legal matters while you focus on your recovery.
- Seek medical attention. Follow all your doctor’s orders and continue with your ongoing care.
An experienced car accident lawyer can give you advice on additional steps you can take to protect your claim.
How To Prove Distracted Driving in Crowley, Louisiana
Even if you suspect distracted driving was involved in the accident, it may be difficult for you to prove this. However, an experienced car accident lawyer can try to prove distracted driving by:
- Interviewing witnesses who saw the driver distracted
- Obtaining video footage of the driver distracted in the moments leading up to the accident
- Extracting electronically-stored data from the vehicle that indicates late or no braking
- Getting the other driver to admit they were distracted through discovery requests
- Obtaining cell phone records that show activity near the time of the accident
Your lawyer can explain which strategies they can use to help prove distracted driving and liability in your case.
Contact Our Experienced Crowley Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer for a Free Case Review
If you were injured by a distracted driver, you should not have to pay for someone else’s carelessness. Reach out to our experienced Crowley distracted driving accident attorney for legal help. The team at Kenny Habetz Injury Law wants to help make things right for you and can pursue maximum compensation on your behalf. Call us today to take advantage of your free case review.
