Distracted driving has become one of the most dangerous behaviors behind the wheel, claiming thousands of lives each year and injuring countless more. Despite awareness campaigns, stricter laws, and advanced vehicle technology, drivers continue to engage in distractions that put everyone at risk.
For victims of car accidents caused by distracted drivers, the aftermath can be devastating. Beyond the physical pain and emotional trauma, the legal and financial burdens can be overwhelming. That’s where an experienced car accident lawyer at Maze Law Offices can play a critical role in helping victims rebuild their lives. Talk to a car accident attorney in Lexington today to find out if you have a distracted driving case — (859)882-9999.
Distracted driving refers to any activity that diverts a driver’s attention away from the primary task of operating a vehicle. It can involve visual distractions (taking your eyes off the road), manual distractions (taking your hands off the wheel), or cognitive distractions (taking your mind off driving).
Even a few seconds of inattention can have catastrophic consequences. Studies show that sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for an average of five seconds. At 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed.
Common examples of distractions include texting, eating, adjusting the radio, using navigation systems, applying makeup, and interacting with passengers. Modern technology — particularly smartphones — has made distracted driving more prevalent and more deadly than ever. The three types of distracted driving that can cause devastating car accidents are:
Texting while driving is dangerous because it combines all three forms of distraction. According to NHTSA data, sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for about five seconds — enough time to travel the length of a football field at highway speeds.
Distracted driving is responsible for a significant percentage of motor vehicle crashes yearly in the United States. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 3,000 people are killed annually in crashes involving distracted drivers, and hundreds of thousands suffer injuries.
Inexperienced drivers are especially at risk. Teens and young adults are more likely to use mobile devices while driving, making them disproportionately involved in distraction-related crashes. However, distracted driving is not limited to any age group — it affects everyone on the road.
In recent years, traffic fatalities linked to distracted driving have surged despite improvements in vehicle safety. The problem continues to grow as people increasingly rely on technology for communication and navigation.
While smartphones are the best-known cause, distractions come in many forms. Common examples include:
Even a momentary lapse in attention can cause catastrophic results, especially at high speeds or in congested traffic areas.
The consequences of distracted driving are far-reaching. Victims may face severe injuries such as broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, or internal bleeding. Beyond the physical trauma, the emotional toll — anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress — can last for years.
The financial impact is equally devastating. Medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost income, and vehicle repairs quickly add up. Many victims struggle to make ends meet while trying to heal from their injuries.
In such cases, having a skilled car accident lawyer can make the difference between receiving fair compensation and being left with mounting debt.
To hold a distracted driver legally responsible, a lawyer must prove negligence. This typically requires showing four key elements:
Proving these elements often involves collecting police reports, witness statements, cell phone records, and surveillance footage. A knowledgeable attorney, such as those at Maze Law Offices, can handle these complex tasks while victims focus on recovery.
Gathering solid evidence is vital in any distracted driving case. Some of the most persuasive types of evidence include:
An experienced car accident attorney knows how to preserve and interpret this evidence before it disappears or becomes inaccessible.
The aftermath of a car crash can be chaotic and overwhelming. Victims are often left juggling medical appointments, vehicle repairs, and conversations with aggressive insurance adjusters — all while trying to recover from painful injuries. A car accident lawyer becomes an indispensable ally and advocate during these stressful moments.
An experienced auto accident attorney inspects the accident site, identifies every liable party, and gathers the evidence needed to prove negligence — including police reports, medical documentation, and witness statements. They calculate the true value of a claim by considering both immediate expenses and long-term losses such as rehabilitation costs, emotional trauma, and future lost earnings.
Car accident lawyers also handle all communication and negotiation with insurance companies, ensuring clients aren’t pressured into accepting low settlements. If the insurer refuses to pay fairly, the attorney can sue and represent the victim in court. Skilled car accident attorneys — such as the team at Maze Law Offices — know how to challenge insurance company tactics, protect clients’ rights, and pursue maximum compensation so victims can focus on healing and rebuilding their lives.
Insurance companies are notorious for downplaying the role of distraction in accidents. Adjusters may argue that both drivers share fault, or that there isn’t enough evidence to prove distraction.
A skilled car accident lawyer can challenge these claims by presenting compelling proof and leveraging accident reconstruction experts. They can also handle communications with insurers, ensuring victims don’t accidentally make statements that hurt their case.
Victims of distracted driving crashes can pursue several types of damages. These include compensation for medical expenses, physical therapy, prescription costs, and future care needs. Lost income and loss of future earning capacity may also be recovered.
Beyond economic losses, victims can seek damages for pain, suffering, and emotional trauma. In extreme cases involving willful or egregious conduct, courts may award punitive damages to punish the driver and deter similar behavior in the future.
A knowledgeable attorney ensures that all categories of compensation are pursued.
Distracted driving accidents can produce a wide range of injuries. Whiplash and soft-tissue damage are common in rear-end collisions, while high-speed crashes often lead to broken bones or spinal injuries. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) may occur even without direct head impact, causing lasting cognitive and emotional effects.
Facial injuries, burns, and lacerations can result from airbag deployment or shattered glass. Besides physical harm, victims frequently endure invisible wounds — sleeplessness, anxiety, and loss of confidence behind the wheel. Comprehensive compensation accounts for both visible and hidden suffering.
All U.S. states now recognize the dangers of distracted driving and have enacted laws to reduce it. Many prohibit texting while driving, and several enforce hands-free rules that ban the use of handheld phones altogether.
In most states, texting while driving is banned for all drivers, and cellphone use is prohibited for novice drivers. Violations can result in fines, points on a license, and higher insurance premiums.
Even when criminal penalties apply, victims must still pursue civil claims to recover their personal losses. Legal representation helps bridge the gap between criminal accountability and financial restitution.
When victims bring civil lawsuits, they must prove their case by a “preponderance of the evidence.” This standard means that the driver’s distraction must be more likely than not to have caused the crash.
Auto accident lawyers accomplish this by constructing a detailed narrative supported by physical evidence, eyewitness testimony, and sometimes expert accident reconstruction. The more clearly this story connects the distraction to the outcome, the stronger the claim for damages becomes.
Choosing the right legal representation can determine the success of a claim. Not all personal injury lawyers in Lexington focus on auto accidents; even fewer have extensive experience with distracted driving litigation.
An accomplished car accident law firm understands how to analyze cell phone data, work with accident reconstruction experts, and communicate effectively with insurance carriers. Maze Law Offices can review your case for free today at (859)882-9999.
The first step is to contact a car accident lawyer who focuses on distracted driving cases. Your attorney will review the facts, collect evidence such as cell phone records or accident reports, and notify the at-fault driver’s insurance company of your claim. From there, the car accident lawyer will negotiate for a settlement or, if necessary, file a formal lawsuit in civil court.
The value of a distracted driving case depends on many factors: the severity of injuries, total medical costs, lost income, emotional suffering, and the clarity of the distraction evidence. Settlements can range from thousands to millions of dollars in severe cases. An experienced car accident lawyer can evaluate your situation and estimate a fair compensation range.
Possibly. If the driver violated traffic or criminal laws — such as texting while driving or causing a fatal crash — prosecutors may file charges separately. However, your civil claim for damages is independent of any criminal case. Even if the driver isn’t charged, you can still file a lawsuit and hold them accountable in civil court.
There’s no single timeline — it depends on the complexity of the case, the severity of injuries, and whether the insurance company cooperates. Your lawyer will manage deadlines and keep you informed at every stage.
Not always. Most distracted driving claims settle out of court through negotiation with insurance companies. However, filing a lawsuit becomes necessary if the insurer refuses to offer a fair settlement. An experienced car accident attorney ensures you’re fully prepared if your case goes to court.
Many states follow a modified comparative negligence rule.
This means you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault, as long as your fault does not exceed a certain percentage (often 50% or 51%). However, your compensation will decrease by your percentage of fault. A car accident lawyer can explain how this rule applies to your specific case.
