Losing concentration for even a second while driving can leave you without enough time to react to a sudden obstacle or unexpected move by another vehicle ahead. Despite how dangerous distracted driving is, hundreds of people choose to drive on Missouri roads every day without having their full attention on the road—and until very recently, Missouri was one of just two states that had effectively no laws prohibiting distracted driving at all.
Fortunately, recent changes to state law have given us legal tools to hold other drivers accountable for distracted driving car accidents in Webster Groves. Our team of distracted car crash attorneys at OnderLaw will stand by your side when you are injured in a wreck caused by someone who was not paying attention. We will help you to understand all of your legal options and build the strongest possible claim for civil compensation. At OnderLaw, we’re not just on your side, we’re by your side every step of the way.
In the U.S., cell phones and smartphones are the most common source of distraction behind the wheel. In response, almost every state has passed laws expressly banning all drivers from texting behind the wheel and, in many cases, from holding any portable communication device in their hand for any reason while in motion. As of May 2023, Missouri joins 48 other states and several U.S. territories in banning texting behind the wheel—pending the Governor’s signature on the Siddens Bening Hands-Free Law, which, if signed, will go into effect in late August 2023.
Notably, the fines associated with violations of this proposed law will not kick in until 2025. Still, the fact that texting behind the wheel will almost certainly soon be illegal in Missouri is a move in the right direction for people injured in distracted driving car crashes in Webster Groves. Even without this law, a driver who causes a traffic accident while allowing themselves to be distracted has committed a violation of their duty of care as a driver. Proving that this breach directly caused an injury is the centerpiece of most successful personal injury lawsuits.
Even though other forms of distracted driving—such as eating and drinking, reaching for something in another seat, using a radio or GPS, or even engaging in personal grooming—are not expressly illegal, they still count as reckless actions which breach every driver’s duty of care.
Still, proving that another driver’s failure to focus on the road led to the crash resulting in your injuries can be tricky. Insurance companies and defendants often deny or attempt to hide the fact that a driver wasn’t paying attention in order to avoid accountability. Our team knows how to dig deeper, and we can often find witnesses, videos, or other evidence that prove that the other driver was negligent.
A distracted driver found liable for causing an auto accident in Webster Groves can be held financially accountable for all past and future losses stemming from the incident. This could include:
Furthermore, if the court finds clear and convincing evidence that a distracted driver demonstrated deliberate and flagrant disregard for other people’s safety, it may impose additional punitive damages against that defendant. These damages would then be awarded as extra compensation to the plaintiff. Our proactive lawyers at OnderLaw are committed to pursuing the comprehensive damages award you need to recover from your accident-related losses. We know your rights, and we protect them.
Distracted driving causes more auto accidents around the United States than just about any other irresponsible behavior. Unfortunately, holding someone else legally liable for the harm they caused you by driving while distracted can be extremely difficult, especially if you are not intimately familiar with all aspects of Missouri civil law.
The assistance you may need following a distracted driving car accident in Webster Groves is available from our team of experienced legal professionals. We are dedicated to helping our neighbors move forward with their lives following devastating traffic collisions. Call today to schedule a consultation with a compassionate OnderLaw attorney.
