Indianapolis Texting and Driving Accident Attorney

Female driver texting while driving

Texting while driving is the most dangerous distracted driving behavior Indiana motorists can engage in behind the wheel. Statistics indicate that cell phone use and texting were factors in 12 percent of all distracted driving accidents that end in fatalities and 8 percent of distracted driving injury crashes. In just one year, at least 410 people lost their lives as a direct result of a careless driver texting while driving. 

Distracted driving is any physical or mental behavior that takes a driver’s focus off safely operating their vehicle. Texting has quickly become one of the most common distracted driving behaviors for motorists in Indianapolis. At Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC, we have seen first-hand the devastating consequences of driving while texting on Indiana roadways. Our Indianapolis texting while driving accident attorneys are committed to helping victims of texting car accidents pursue the compensation they need to cope with their significant physical injuries and financial losses.

Has a distracted driver hurt you in an Indianapolis car accident? Contact our office today and request a free consultation. We are ready to review your situation and outline your legal options for holding the negligent driver and their insurer accountable for your losses.

What Makes Texting While Driving So Dangerous?

What makes texting while driving so dangerous? After all, it only takes a few seconds to glance at a phone and read or send a short message. Consider this shocking statistic from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: In the time it takes to read or send a short text message, about five seconds, a driver going 55 miles per hour can travel the entire length of a football field without ever setting eyes on the road ahead of them. 

Driving should never be about multitasking. It takes a person’s complete and undivided attention to operate a vehicle safely and avoid potential hazards.

Texting while behind the wheel diverts a person’s attention and hands, meaning double the danger for the driver and anyone sharing the road with the distracted driver. Distracted driving is even more hazardous because the driver is not fully aware of their surroundings, so they cannot avoid causing a crash or take evasive maneuvers to help prevent a significant collision. Distracted drivers typically fail to slow down or swerve before they cause devastating injuries to other drivers, pedestrians, or bicyclists.

Is Texting While Driving Illegal in Indiana?

Indiana law prohibits drivers from holding a cell phone or other electronic communication device while driving a motor vehicle. Motorists in Indiana cannot talk on the phone if it’s in their hand, send or receive text messages or email, or watch videos while operating a vehicle. The motorist must use hands-free or voice-operated devices to use the phone while driving.

The only time an Indiana motorist can legally use a cell phone in their hand while driving a car includes reporting an emergency and requesting help or when a driver is stopped and safely parked. If you’re under 21, you can’t use your phone while driving, not even using hands-free technology. 

Indiana had a “no texting while driving” law on the books since 2011, but the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals determined that the law was too narrow to be enforceable. The current law, which took effect on July 1, 2020, made enforcement easier and more clear-cut. 

The penalties for violating Indiana’s texting and driving law can include fines of up to $500 and points on the driver’s Indiana license. The first distracted driving violation receives a maximum fine of $35.50 if the person admits the violation and four demerit points on their driver’s license. If they have one prior violation in the past five years, the maximum fine is $250.50. If there were two or more prior violations, the fine can be up to $500. 

Texting and driving is a Class C infraction in Indiana. You could also be charged with reckless driving, depending on the circumstances. Additionally, your insurance rates could increase. 

Indianapolis Distracted Driving Statistics

The Indiana Department of Labor estimates that people who text while driving are 23 times more likely to be involved in a car crash. Since the state passed its Hands-Free Law in 2020, over 14,000 citations have been issued to Indiana drivers for holding a cell phone while driving, which shows that many drivers still aren’t getting the message.

Pursuing Compensation for a Texting While Driving Accident 

Pursuing compensation for a crash caused by a texting driver can be challenging. Distracted driving accidents can occur so quickly that you may be unable to tell that the careless driver was texting behind the wheel. That’s why you need help from our experienced and savvy texting while driving accident lawyers in Indianapolis.

It takes compelling evidence to build a case against a careless driver and prove that their cell phone use led to the collision. Cell phone companies do not hand out user information without legal intervention. Our Indianapolis texting while driving accident attorneys have the knowledge and resources to secure the information needed and collect and preserve crucial evidence to help build a substantial claim.

Our attorneys for texting and driving accidents in Indianapolis can also calculate the total value of your claim based on the situation’s circumstances and negotiate for maximum compensation. Although the value of each texting and driving claim varies, in general, victims can pursue money from the at-fault driver for their:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of future earning capacity
  • Emotional distress
  • Pain and suffering

Do not accept money from an insurance company without consulting an experienced Indianapolis car crash lawyer from our law firm. Our distracted driving accident lawyers are ready to advocate for you and pursue the money you need. 

Our Indianapolis Texting While Driving Car Crash Attorneys Are Here to Help 

Are you worried about moving forward with your life after an Indianapolis texting-related car crash? You don’t have to navigate this challenging time alone. The resourceful Indianapolis car accident attorneys with Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC want to help you fight for maximum compensation. For more than 30 years, we’ve been helping accident victims pursue the money they deserve for accidents that were someone else’s fault. Let us support you now.

Contact us today and set up a free initial case evaluation with an Indianapolis distracted driving accident lawyer from our firm.