That text can wait. The call can go to voicemail. The notification doesn’t need your attention right now. Yet in the split second you glance at your phone, traveling at 55 mph, your car covers the length of a football field while you’re essentially driving blind. In those five seconds, a child might dart into the street, traffic might suddenly come to a stop, or another driver might drift into your lane. Lives change forever in those moments of distraction.
We see the aftermath every day: families shattered by preventable crashes, young lives cut short, parents who never make it home. In 2023, distracted driving killed 3,275 people nationally, with 178 of those deaths occurring right here in Louisiana. These aren’t just statistics. They’re mothers, fathers, children, and friends whose absence leaves permanent holes in countless lives. Behind each number lies a family asking themselves why a text message mattered more than their loved one’s life.
The scope of distracted driving in Louisiana demands immediate attention. According to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, distracted or inattentive driving caused 22% of all traffic deaths in 2023. Even more alarming, it resulted in 32% of all serious injuries from crashes, affecting 1,149 people whose lives were forever altered by someone’s momentary lapse in judgment.
The Center for Analytics and Research in Transportation Safety reports that as of 2022, at least 72,752 drivers were involved in Louisiana distracted driving accidents. These crashes resulted in over 20,781 injuries and 185 deaths, with thousands more causing significant property damage. Yet experts believe these numbers vastly underrepresent the true crisis, similar to how automobile accident statistics often underreport the full scope of crashes nationwide.
Distracted driving remains one of the most underreported crash factors. Unlike alcohol impairment, which leaves physical evidence through blood alcohol tests, distraction often leaves no trace. Unless drivers admit to using their phones or witnesses observe the behavior, crashes get attributed to other causes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration acknowledges this data limitation, suggesting actual distracted driving incidents could be significantly higher.
Consider how often you see other drivers looking at their phones. Now consider how rarely those observations make it into official crash reports. The disconnect reveals a crisis much larger than statistics suggest. Studies indicate drivers engage with their phones during at least 10% of their driving time, yet distracted driving appears in only 7.8% of fatal crash reports, affecting both car accidents and truck accidents throughout Louisiana.
The statistics for young drivers paint a particularly troubling picture. NHTSA data shows drivers aged 18-34 are more likely to die in distraction-affected crashes than any other age group. Among high school students, 42% admit to texting or emailing while driving, contributing to the alarming teen car accident statistics in our state.
These young drivers grew up with smartphones as extensions of themselves. The constant connectivity that defines their generation becomes deadly behind the wheel. They’ve never known a world without instant communication, making the urge to check notifications feel irresistible. Yet their developing brains, still learning to assess risk and control impulses, make them particularly vulnerable to distraction’s dangers.
The Centers for Disease Control identify three distinct forms of driver distraction, each dangerous on its own but often occurring simultaneously:
Visual distractions take your eyes off the road. This includes checking your phone, looking at GPS directions, searching for items in your car, or even reading billboards. At highway speeds, looking away for just two seconds doubles your crash risk.
Manual distractions take your hands off the wheel. Eating, drinking, adjusting controls, reaching for objects, or holding your phone all compromise your ability to react quickly. You need both hands ready to steer, especially in emergency situations.
Cognitive distractions take your mind off driving. Intense conversations, emotional stress, daydreaming, or thinking about work problems all reduce your mental focus on the road. Your brain cannot effectively multitask while driving, despite what you might believe.
Texting combines all three types of distraction simultaneously. Your eyes leave the road to read messages, your hands leave the wheel to type, and your mind shifts focus to the conversation. Research shows that when you text while driving at 55 mph, you travel the entire length of a football field without looking at the road.
This deadly combination makes texting 23 times more likely to cause a crash than focused driving. Your reaction time becomes worse than someone driving drunk. Yet, unlike drunk driving, which society widely condemns, many still view texting while driving as an acceptable or manageable risk.
While cell phones dominate distracted driving discussions, numerous other activities endanger drivers:
Eating and drinking seem harmless, but require visual and manual attention. Spills cause sudden reactions. Unwrapping food diverts focus. Hot coffee burning your lap triggers instinctive movements that could send you into another lane.
GPS and infotainment systems, ironically designed for convenience, create significant distractions. Programming destinations, scrolling through music, or adjusting settings all pull attention from driving. Even hands-free systems prove dangerous when they occupy your cognitive focus.
Passengers, especially children, create constant distractions. Parents know the challenge of crying babies, fighting siblings, or dropped toys demanding immediate attention. Teen drivers face peer pressure and social dynamics that make passenger management particularly difficult.
Personal grooming, such as applying makeup, shaving, or fixing hair while driving, reveals dangerous overconfidence. These activities require precise hand movements and visual attention, making vehicle control nearly impossible.
On August 1, 2025, Louisiana implemented House Bill 519, fundamentally changing how the state addresses distracted driving. This law prohibits all drivers from holding or using wireless devices while operating vehicles, with limited exceptions. Louisiana joins a growing number of states recognizing that half-measures aren’t enough to combat this crisis.
The law specifically prohibits:
Starting January 2026, Louisiana’s distracted driving penalties will include:
Standard violations:
School and construction zone violations:
The law provides specific exceptions for:
Importantly, the law currently operates as a secondary offense outside school and construction zones. Officers cannot stop you solely for phone use unless you’re in a designated zone or committing another violation. However, this limited enforcement doesn’t diminish your responsibility to drive safely.
Louisiana maintains stricter rules for novice drivers holding Class “E” learner’s permits or intermediate licenses. These drivers cannot use any wireless devices, even hands-free, except for emergencies. First violations result in fines up to $250, while subsequent violations bring $500 fines and 60-day license suspensions.
Young drivers involved in crashes while using devices face doubled fines. These enhanced penalties recognize that inexperienced drivers need full attention on the road while developing crucial driving skills.
Distracted driving crashes often result in catastrophic injuries due to delayed reactions and full-speed impacts. Victims commonly suffer injuries similar to other severe car accidents:
Traumatic brain injuries that permanently alter personality, cognitive function, and quality of life. Families watch loved ones struggle with memory, emotion regulation, and basic daily tasks.
Spinal cord damage leading to paralysis, chronic pain, and lifetime medical needs. Young people face decades of wheelchairs, catheters, and dependence on others for basic care.
Multiple fractures and internal injuries requiring numerous surgeries, extended rehabilitation, and permanent limitations. Simple pleasures such as playing with children or participating in hobbies become impossible.
Severe lacerations and disfigurement affecting self-image, relationships, and employment opportunities. Facial scarring and visible disabilities create daily reminders of someone’s momentary distraction.
Beyond physical injuries, distracted driving crashes create financial catastrophes similar to the economic impact of automobile accidents nationwide:
Medical expenses quickly exceed insurance limits. Emergency treatment, surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing care can cost millions over a lifetime. Families face bankruptcy trying to provide necessary care.
Lost income affects entire households. Victims unable to work lose not just current wages but future earning potential, retirement contributions, and career advancement opportunities.
Property damage extends beyond vehicle replacement. Specialized medical equipment, home modifications for disabilities, and ongoing transportation needs create continuous expenses.
Insurance rates increase dramatically after distracted driving violations, with average premium increases of 22% nationally. In Louisiana, where insurance rates already rank among the nation’s highest, these increases prove particularly burdensome.
The psychological impact of distracted driving crashes reverberates through families and communities:
Survivor’s guilt torments those who walk away while others die or suffer permanent injuries. They replay the moments endlessly, wondering what they could have done differently.
PTSD affects not only crash victims and witnesses, but also first responders. Flashbacks, anxiety, and depression require years of therapy and medication. Many never feel safe driving again.
Complicated grief consumes families who have lost loved ones to preventable crashes. The senselessness of the death, knowing it resulted from someone checking a text, makes acceptance nearly impossible. These losses often lead to wrongful death claims as families seek justice.
Relationship strain tears families apart. Caregiving stress, financial pressure, and personality changes from brain injuries destroy marriages and fracture family bonds.
Beyond traffic citations, distracted drivers face serious legal ramifications similar to those in hit-and-run cases:
Criminal charges, including vehicular homicide or negligent injuring, when distraction causes death or serious injury. Convictions bring prison time, creating criminal records that affect employment and housing.
Civil lawsuits seek compensation for damages. Judgments can exceed insurance coverage, resulting in wage garnishment, asset seizure, and decades of financial obligation.
License suspension or revocation limiting independence and employment options. Professional drivers lose careers. Parents struggle with childcare and household management.
Permanent records affecting future opportunities. Background checks reveal the consequences of momentary distraction, impacting everything from college admissions to professional licensing.
Learning to identify distracted drivers helps you protect yourself and your family:
Erratic speed changes, including sudden braking or acceleration without apparent cause, indicate divided attention. Watch for drivers who speed up and slow down repeatedly.
Lane drifting or weaving suggests manual or visual distraction. Distracted drivers often drift toward whatever captures their attention, unconsciously steering where they look, similar to drivers involved in blind spot accidents.
Delayed responses at traffic signals or stop signs reveal cognitive distraction. If someone sits through a green light or remains stopped unnecessarily, maintain distance.
Illuminated faces at night from phone screens provide clear evidence of distraction. The glow visible through the windows confirms dangerous behavior.
Distracted drivers exhibit predictable behaviors:
Head movements, looking down repeatedly, or turning away from the road, indicate device use. Watch for the telltale head bob of someone alternating between phone and road.
One-handed driving with the other hand below window level suggests phone manipulation. Shoulder positioning often reveals texting even when you cannot see the device.
Animated conversations with no visible passenger indicate phone calls. Emotional or emphatic gesturing while alone signals cognitive distraction.
Missing traffic cues, such as remaining in ending lanes or ignoring yield signs, shows a lack of awareness. Distracted drivers often react only when forced by circumstances.
When you identify distracted drivers:
Increase following distance to allow extra reaction time. Their unpredictability requires additional safety margins.
Avoid passing when possible, especially on two-lane roads. Distracted drivers might drift into your path without warning, potentially causing head-on collisions.
Use your horn judiciously to alert obviously distracted drivers at stops. A brief honk might prevent them from proceeding unsafely.
Report dangerous drivers to 911 when behavior threatens immediate safety. Provide location, direction, vehicle description, and observed behaviors.
Change begins with individual commitment:
Phone management strategies remove temptation. Place your phones in the glove compartment, back seat, or trunk before driving. If you cannot reach it, you cannot use it.
Technology solutions help maintain focus. Activate Do Not Disturb driving modes, use apps that block notifications while moving, or enable automatic text responses informing contacts you’re driving.
Route planning before departure eliminates navigation distractions. Program GPS destinations, select music playlists, and adjust climate controls while parked.
Passenger delegation shares responsibilities. Designate passengers as navigators, DJs, or text responders. Make distraction management a team effort.
Protecting loved ones requires honest discussions:
Teen driver contracts establish clear expectations and consequences. Include specific rules about phone use, passenger limits, and driving hours. Make consequences meaningful and enforceable.
Modeling behavior teaches more than words. Children absorb your driving habits from car seats. Your phone use normalizes distraction for future drivers.
Sharing stories makes dangers real. Discuss local crashes, share victim impact statements, or attend traffic safety presentations together. Personal connections resonate more than statistics.
Creating accountability within families. Encourage family members to speak up about unsafe behaviors. Praise those who drive without distraction.
Collective action amplifies individual efforts:
School programs educate young drivers before habits form. Support driver’s education funding, sponsor safety assemblies, or volunteer for peer education programs.
Workplace policies protect employees and the company’s liability. Advocate for no-phone driving policies, especially for company vehicles or business travel.
Social media advocacy spreads awareness. Share safety messages, victim stories, and prevention tips. Use platforms where young drivers engage.
Legislative support strengthens enforcement. Contact representatives about traffic safety funding, support stronger penalties, and attend public hearings on proposed laws.
Your actions immediately following a distracted driving crash affect both your health and legal rights:
Seek medical attention even for seemingly minor injuries. Adrenaline masks pain, and some injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries or internal bleeding, might not show immediate symptoms. Documentation of immediate medical treatment strengthens injury claims.
Document the scene thoroughly if able. Photograph vehicle positions, damage, skid marks, and road conditions. Look for evidence of distraction: phones on floorboards, food spills, or makeup scattered from impact.
Gather witness information before they leave. Witnesses might have observed phone use or distraction you couldn’t see. Their testimony proves invaluable when drivers deny distraction.
Obtain the police report noting any citations for distracted driving or observations of device use. Officers trained in crash investigation often identify distraction indicators you might miss.
Avoid admitting fault or minimizing injuries. Statements such as “I’m fine” or “I didn’t see you either” get used against you later. Stick to facts when speaking with officers or insurance representatives.
Proving distraction requires specific evidence, similar to building cases in 18-wheeler accidents or delivery truck accidents:
Cell phone records revealing calls, texts, or data usage at crash time provide concrete proof. Your attorney can subpoena these records through legal processes.
Social media activity showing posts, updates, or messages near crash time establishes device use. Screenshots captured quickly prevent deletion.
Vehicle technology data from infotainment systems or event data recorders might show interaction with controls or phone connectivity at impact.
Surveillance footage from nearby businesses, traffic cameras, or dash cams could capture device use or distracted behavior before impact.
Expert testimony from accident reconstructionists can establish that crash dynamics indicate distraction, such as lack of braking or evasive action.
Louisiana law allows recovery of various damages from distracted drivers, whether you’re in Shreveport, Covington, or anywhere across the state:
Economic damages cover quantifiable losses:
Non-economic damages compensate for intangible losses:
Punitive damages might apply when distraction shows gross negligence or willful misconduct, particularly for repeat offenders or commercial drivers violating federal regulations.
Insurance companies often minimize distracted driving claims:
Quick settlement offers exploit vulnerability when you’re facing medical bills and lost income. These initial offers rarely reflect true claim value.
Recorded statements are analyzed for any information that minimizes injuries or suggests shared fault. Insurance adjusters receive training in eliciting favorable statements.
Social media monitoring searches for posts contradicting injury claims. Photos showing activity or positive comments get used to dispute limitations.
Independent medical exams by insurance-selected doctors often minimize injuries. These doctors regularly work for insurance companies, creating inherent bias.
Delay tactics pressure acceptance of lower settlements. Insurance companies know financial pressure mounts over time, making victims more likely to accept inadequate offers.
Distracted driving cases present unique challenges requiring experienced legal guidance from our attorneys:
Evidence preservation must happen quickly. Phone records get deleted, surveillance footage gets overwritten, and witnesses forget details. Attorneys know how to preserve crucial evidence immediately.
Technical complexity requires understanding of phone technology, vehicle systems, and accident reconstruction. Skilled attorneys work with experts who can extract and interpret technical data.
Insurance navigation demands experience with adjuster tactics and claim valuation. Attorneys know true claim values and won’t accept inadequate settlements.
Litigation preparation strengthens negotiating position. Insurance companies offer more when they know you’re prepared for trial with strong legal representation.
Emerging technologies offer hope for reducing distracted driving:
Vehicle safety systems including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and driver attention monitoring provide backup when human attention fails. These systems cannot replace attentive driving but might prevent crashes during momentary lapses.
Phone integration improvements such as better voice controls, automatic driving mode activation, and simplified interfaces reduce manual interaction needs. However, cognitive distraction remains even with hands-free systems.
Legal technology helps prove distraction through improved data recovery, analysis tools, and visualization methods for jury presentation. This evidence helps hold distracted drivers accountable.
Technology alone cannot solve distracted driving. Society must shift perspectives:
Social acceptance must end. Texting while driving needs the same stigma as drunk driving. Friends must speak up when drivers reach for phones.
Business culture must prioritize safety over constant availability. Employers should neither expect nor reward immediate responses while employees drive.
Personal priorities must value lives over connectivity. No message, notification, or call justifies risking death or catastrophic injury.
Every driver influences road safety:
Commit today to distraction-free driving. Make the conscious decision that no text, call, or notification matters more than arriving safely.
Influence others through example and conversation. Your commitment might inspire others to change their behavior.
Support enforcement of distracted driving laws. Report dangerous drivers, support funding for enforcement, and accept that stronger penalties protect everyone.
Share your story if distraction has affected your life. Personal experiences resonate more powerfully than statistics.
For over 40 years, Morris & Dewett has stood with Louisiana families devastated by distracted driving crashes. We’ve witnessed the evolution of distracted driving from eating and dashboard adjustments to today’s epidemic of smartphone addiction. Throughout these decades, one thing remains constant: our commitment to holding negligent drivers accountable and securing justice for victims.
Our attorneys have handled hundreds of distracted driving cases across Louisiana and Texas. We’ve seen every excuse, every insurance company tactic, and every attempt to minimize responsibility. This experience translates directly to your benefit. We know where to find evidence, which experts to consult, and how to present your case most effectively to insurance companies, judges, and juries.
While every case differs, our track record demonstrates our ability to secure meaningful compensation for distracted driving victims. We’ve obtained multi-million dollar settlements for families who lost loved ones to texting drivers. We’ve secured six-figure recoveries for clients with severe injuries, ensuring they received compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
More importantly, we’ve helped clients access immediate medical care through our network of healthcare providers who accept cases on lien, meaning you receive treatment now without upfront payment. We’ve connected families with grief counselors, physical therapists, and vocational rehabilitation specialists. Our success isn’t measured only in dollars but in lives rebuilt.
We know that injuries don’t follow business hours. Pain keeps you awake at night. Questions arise on weekends. Insurance adjusters call during dinner. That’s why Morris & Dewett offers:
Flexible consultation scheduling, including evenings and weekends. We’ll meet when it works for you, not just when it’s convenient for us.
Multiple meeting options to accommodate your needs. Can’t travel due to injuries? We’ll come to you, whether you’re at home, in the hospital, or at a rehabilitation facility. Prefer virtual meetings? We offer secure video consultations.
Immediate response to urgent situations. If a distracted driver just hit you, call us immediately at (318) 221-1508. We’ll dispatch our team to preserve evidence before it disappears.
Ongoing availability throughout your case. Your questions don’t wait for business hours, and neither do we. Our clients receive direct contact information for their legal team.
Financial stress shouldn’t prevent you from seeking justice. Morris & Dewett operates on a contingency fee basis for all distracted driving cases. This means:
Zero upfront costs. You pay nothing to start your case. No retainer fees, no consultation charges, no hidden expenses.
We advance all case expenses, including expert witnesses, accident reconstruction, medical record retrieval, court filing fees, and deposition costs. These expenses, which can total thousands of dollars, require no payment from you unless we win.
Our fee comes from your recovery. We only get paid if we secure compensation for you, taking our fee as a percentage of your settlement or verdict. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing.
Transparent fee structure explained clearly in writing. No surprises, no fine print, no unexpected charges. You’ll understand exactly how fees work before signing anything.
This arrangement aligns our interests with yours. We only succeed when you receive the compensation you deserve, motivating us to maximize your recovery.
The first 48 hours after a crash prove critical. Morris & Dewett acts immediately to:
We leave no stone unturned investigating your case:
Insurance companies deploy predictable strategies to minimize distracted driving claims. We counter each one:
When they claim you were partially at fault, we present evidence showing the distracted driver’s complete responsibility. When they dispute injury severity, we provide comprehensive medical documentation and expert testimony. When they delay hoping you’ll accept less, we maintain pressure through litigation preparation.
Our reputation for taking cases to trial motivates insurance companies to offer fair settlements. They know we won’t accept inadequate compensation just to close a file.
We understand that legal victory alone doesn’t heal trauma. Morris & Dewett connects clients with:
Maximize your consultation’s value by bringing:
Don’t worry if you’re missing items. We’ll help obtain whatever’s needed. The most important thing is starting the conversation.
During your free consultation, we’ll:
Listen to your story without judgment or interruption. You need someone who truly hears what you’ve endured.
Evaluate your case honestly, explaining its strengths and potential challenges. We won’t make promises we can’t keep.
Explain Louisiana law as it applies to your situation, including deadlines, potential compensation, and likely case progression.
Answer all your questions in plain language. No legal jargon, no confusing terminology, just clear explanations.
Develop a strategy tailored to your specific circumstances and goals.
Discuss practical concerns including medical treatment options, dealing with your own insurance, and managing financial pressures during your case.
Your consultation creates no obligation. Take time to process information, discuss with family, or seek second opinions. We want you to feel confident in your decision, whatever it may be.
If you choose Morris & Dewett, we begin work immediately. If you decide to handle matters differently, you’ll leave better informed about your rights and options. Either way, you pay nothing for our time and expertise during the consultation.
Evidence disappears quickly in distracted driving cases. Phone records get deleted. Surveillance footage gets overwritten. Witnesses forget details. Every day that passes makes proving distraction more difficult.
Louisiana’s statute of limitations adds urgency. You have limited time to file your claim, and preparation takes months. Waiting too long could forfeit your right to any compensation.
More importantly, you deserve to begin healing. The sooner you have experienced advocates handling the legal burden, the sooner you can focus on physical and emotional recovery.
Call us at (318) 221-1508 for immediate assistance. Our team is standing by to help you understand your options and protect your rights.
Visit one of our four convenient Louisiana offices at your convenience. We have locations throughout the state with free parking and wheelchair accessibility.
Schedule online through our secure contact form. Provide basic information, and we’ll call you within one business day to schedule your free consultation.
Available when you need us. Evening and weekend appointments available. Hospital and home visits for those unable to travel. Virtual consultations for your convenience.
Behind every distracted driving statistic is a real person with a real story. Your experience matters, not just for your own recovery but for the message it sends about the consequences of choosing distraction over safety.
At Morris & Dewett, we don’t just represent clients; we partner with families fighting for justice. Your fight becomes our fight. Your goals become our mission. Together, we work toward not just compensation but meaningful change that might prevent others from suffering as you have.
The driver who hit you made a choice. They chose their phone over your safety. Now you have a choice: whether to hold them accountable. We’re ready to stand with you, providing the legal expertise, emotional support, and tireless advocacy you need during this difficult time.
Remember: that text can wait. That call can go to voicemail. Your life, and the lives of everyone sharing the road with you, matter more than any message. Choose to drive distracted-free. Your family is counting on you to come home safely.
Don’t face this alone. Contact Morris & Dewett today at (318) 221-1508 to schedule your complimentary consultation. Let us carry the legal burden while you focus on healing.
“We look at your case as a whole. Not just what’s happened since the wreck or since the time that your life has changed. But also, what it’s going to look like in the future.”
We understand you have many questions after your accident. Here are answers to the concerns we hear most often from Louisiana families:
"I quickly, learned two rules in this business.
First, defendants in an injury suit put up obstacles and barriers. They want the case to take as long as possible, because it wears the plaintiff down. I have learned that if you run at those barriers hard enough, and fast enough, many of them will disappear.
Second, "The fastest way to settle a case is to prepare for trial. Insurance companies know which firms will go to court, which will not, and who can win. It is important to choose a firm that is committed to the results you want.”
Our team of intake specialists is ready to listen to you and gather all the information for a free, confidential case evaluation. We will hear you out, take what you say seriously, and then round up with our legal team.
Our lawyers will provide you with no-obligation feedback on your case, usually on the same day, but no later than 24 hours. We will give you the appropriate course of action for your situation.
If your case is a good fit for our firm and you graciously allow us to represent you, our team will begin working immediately. We will investigate, send the appropriate letters to stop insurance companies from harassing you, and start your medical recovery.
Our internal process is transparent with high levels of communication from the opening of your case to the final handshake. Our firm will promptly return your phone calls and keep you informed. You will know the exact status of your case. Our case managers and attorneys are committed to making a difficult situation as stress-free as possible.
