Distracted Driving

Springfield / Jefferson City / Columbia

Fighting For You After A Distracted Driving Accident

It’s safe to say we’ve all been distracted while driving at one point or another in our lives. Cell phones, the radio and passengers can draw a driver’s attention away from the road. However, distracted driving quickly becomes dangerous.

If you’ve been involved in an accident caused by distracted driving, you need the facts. Whether you were the distracted driver or the one hit by a distracted driver, reviewing the details of the accident and cell phone usage laws can be beneficial for building a legal case or negotiating with insurance.

Types of Distracted Driving

  • Cellphone Usage
  • Disruptive Passengers
  • Eating or Drinking
  • Navigation Devices
  • Grooming (Applying Makeup, Brushing Hair, Etc.)
  • Adjusting Audio or other Vehicle Controls
  • Web Browsing
  • Reading

Texting and Driving

Cell phones are the most common culprit of distracted driving collisions. Texting and driving is the leading cause of cell phone usage accidents. Using a communication device while driving can be considered negligent, unsafe driving.

Breakdown of Distracted Driving

While texting is synonymous with distracted driving, all forms of distracted driving are just as dangerous.

In 2018, 19,989 crashes occurred because of distracted driving. Of those nearly 20,000 crashes, 83 were fatal, and 5,384 resulted in personal injury.

We’ve broken down the other types of distracted driving and the number of resulting crashes:

  • 3,972 crashes resulted from external distractions
  • 9,612 crashes occurred because of other, uncategorized distractions

Missouri Distracted Driving Laws

Missouri has unique distracted driving laws. Currently, Missouri distracted driving laws apply to commercial drivers and drivers who are 21 or younger. These laws also focus on texting and driving.

While cell phone use is legal for Missourians over 21, that doesn’t mean drivers can’t be penalized for causing an accident while distracted. In an accident, a driver can be held liable for damages because of texting and driving or other forms of distracted driving.

Further, distracted driving can cause more than just property damage. These types of collisions can cause personal injury and, in severe cases, fatalities.

Learn More About Distracted Driving

Get great content about distracted driving accidents, how they can affect you and what to do if you’re injured in a distracted driving accident from our blog.

Learn More

Contact A Car Accident Lawyer Today

If you need representation in a distracted driving case, reach out to a personal injury lawyer. Tolbert Beadle specializes in various personal injury areas, including car accidents. We’ll be happy to walk you through your options and help you receive the compensation you deserve.

Schedule a free consultation with us today to learn more.

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