The Real Dangers of Distracted Driving: What You Need To Know

‘Sorry, I Didn’t See You’—The Real Dangers of Distracted Driving

Imagine you’re driving down the road, music playing, and your phone vibrates. Maybe it’s a friend texting about weekend plans, or a notification from your favorite app. It takes just a few seconds to check, right? But in that time, your car has traveled the length of a football field, completely unattended. Now, imagine another driver doing the same thing—except this time, they don’t see you.

Distracted driving, especially texting while behind the wheel, is one of the most dangerous habits on the road today. It leads to thousands of personal injury cases every year, leaving victims with medical bills, emotional trauma, and long-term recovery challenges. So, what makes texting and driving so dangerous, and how can victims protect themselves legally? Our car accident lawyer breaks it down.

How Texting and Driving Leads to Serious Accidents

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving claimed 3,308 lives in 2022 alone. Studies also show that younger drivers are at the highest risk—39% of high school students admit to texting or emailing while driving.

So why is it so dangerous? Texting behind the wheel affects you in three ways:

Visually: Your eyes leave the road to look at your screen.
Manually: Your hands leave the wheel to type or scroll.
Cognitively: Your brain shifts focus from driving to your message.

It takes about five seconds to send or read a text. If you’re driving at 55 mph, that’s like covering the length of a football field with your eyes closed. A lot can happen in those five seconds—a car in front of you stops suddenly, a pedestrian steps into the street, or a light turns red.

Legal Consequences for Distracted Drivers

Most states have strict laws against texting and driving. Fines, points on your license, and even license suspension are common penalties. But if a distracted driver causes a crash, the consequences go far beyond a traffic ticket.

Drivers who cause accidents while texting can face:

Civil lawsuits: If you’re injured by a distracted driver, you have the right to sue for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Criminal charges: If the accident results in serious injury or death, the driver could face reckless driving or even vehicular manslaughter charges.
Increased insurance rates: Insurance companies penalize distracted drivers, often leading to higher premiums or dropped coverage.

What to Do If You’re Hit by a Distracted Driver

If you’re involved in a crash and suspect the other driver was texting, taking the right steps can help protect your case.

Call 911 – Always report the accident and get medical help, even if injuries don’t seem severe at first.
Document the scene – Take photos of the vehicles, damage, road conditions, and any visible injuries.
Gather witness statements – If anyone saw the accident, get their contact information.
Check for evidence of phone use – If possible, note if the driver was holding or looking at their phone.
Seek legal help – A personal injury attorney can investigate phone records, traffic footage, and other evidence to prove distracted driving played a role in your crash.

How the Trusted Car Accident Lawyer Team at Keller & Keller Can Help

If you’ve been injured in a crash caused by a distracted driver, you don’t have to handle it alone. At Keller & Keller, we’ve helped countless victims hold negligent drivers accountable and secure the compensation they deserve. Our team will fight to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and any pain and suffering you’ve endured.

Texting and driving isn’t just a bad habit—it’s a reckless decision that puts lives at risk. If you or a loved one has been affected by a distracted driver, contact Keller & Keller for a free consultation. We’re here to make sure you get the support and representation you need to move forward.

Call us today at 800-253-5537 or visit click here to get started!