Louisiana Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer
Distracted Driving Accident Attorney in Louisiana, LA
One of the most frequent causes of collisions is distracted driving, and yet many drivers do not take the issue seriously enough. If you are injured in a crash caused by a distracted driver, it can be really frustrating. An experienced Louisiana distracted driving accident lawyer can help you file a claim to financially recover your damages and hold a negligent driver accountable for their failures on the road.
Murphy Law Firm: Your Louisiana Distracted Driving Accident Attorney
Any car accident has the potential to result in serious injuries and lifelong pain or disability. While many distracted driving accidents are less serious, some can have catastrophic consequences. If you are involved in one of these accidents, you need the support of the right attorney. A skilled Louisiana personal injury lawyer from our team can help you navigate the legal complexities of your recovery.
At Murphy Law Firm, we have more than 30 years of experience in vehicle collisions, including those involving distracted driving. We have secured millions for clients after auto accidents, including a settlement for $4 million and a verdict of $18.9 million. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different and must be evaluated on its own merits.
We offer compassionate and experienced legal representation to protect your financial future after an accident.
What Are the Types of Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving is one of the key issues that road safety organizations are looking to limit, because 5,230 injuries and fatalities occurred in the state from distracted driving-related crashes from 2017 to 2021. In 2025, there were 57,091 vehicle accidents caused by distracted driving that resulted in only property damage in Louisiana. Distracted driving also led to over 19,500 suspected injury accidents and 153 fatal accidents.
Distracted driving comes in many forms and involves anything that takes your eyes or mind off the road or takes your hands off the wheel. Some of the most common forms of distracted driving include:
- Texting, calling, or using other phone applications
- Changing the music, podcast, or other entertainment
- Messing with your GPS or another navigational system
- Looking at anything else on the road, like accidents or landscapes
- Talking to passengers
- Grabbing something in your vehicle
Of the 20,110 distracted or inattentive drivers in Louisiana in 2025, over 18,600 were driving inattentively, and 346 were manually operating a device. Distracted driving increases the chances of an accident because drivers may not see changes on the road or follow posted speed limits or other signs. Drivers may also fail to keep their vehicle in its lane while they are distracted.
What Are Common Injuries in Distracted Driving Accidents?
Distracted driving accidents can cause many of the same injuries as other accidents, including:
- Lacerations and bruises
- Road rash
- Fractures
- Neck and back injuries
- Whiplash
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Concussions
- Internal bleeding
- Burns
- Spinal cord injuries
- Organ damage
Your injuries and their severity often depend on how serious the accident was, the vehicle you were in during the crash, and other factors.
Some of these injuries heal in shorter periods of time, requiring some costly medical treatment and weeks or months off work. Other injuries can have lasting consequences. Some may prevent you from completing gainful employment and require daily treatment and at-home care. The level of injury affects the compensation you could recover in a claim.
How Do You Hold a Distracted Driver Liable?
Just because a driver was distracted before a crash doesn’t automatically make them liable for the accident. In order for a driver to be liable, you have to prove:
- They owed you a duty of care and breached that duty of care, such as by driving distracted.
- Their breach of their duty of care was one significant cause of the accident.
- You were injured as a result of the crash.
Understanding negligence in a car accident lawsuit is critical to proving that the other driver’s inattention was the primary cause of your harm. If the collision would have happened anyway, it can be hard to hold the driver liable. A trusted Louisiana car accident lawyer from Murphy Law Firm can investigate the crash to establish clear liability.
Meet Our Attorney
Peyton Murphy
Peyton Murphy, a Louisiana lawyer with 30+ years of experience, specializes in personal injury cases. He founded Murphy Law Firm in Baton Rouge in 1993 and fights for his clients’ compensation.
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FAQs
What Is the New Law in Louisiana for Distracted Driving?
The newest law in Louisiana for distracted driving, as of 2026, is the prohibition of using any wireless communications device, unless it is used for a hands-free call. Any use of a device includes posting on or accessing social media, calling, sending or composing messages, taking a photo or video, or using any other gesture or aspect of the device. Enforcement of this new law began in 2026 and can result in a fine. You can read more about the new hands-free driving law in Louisiana to see how it impacts liability in accident claims.
What Are the Four Categories of Distracted Driving?
The four main categories of distracted driving are 1) cognitive distractions that take your mind off of driving, 2) visual distractions that distract you from looking at the road as you drive, 3) manual distractions that take your hands off the wheel, and 4) auditory distractions that can make it hard to pay attention to the act of driving. Cell phones are considered dangerous because they often combine several or all of these types of distracted driving.
What Activities Are Considered Distracted Driving Behaviors in Louisiana?
There are many activities that are considered distracted driving, such as talking with those in the vehicle, eating or drinking, calling, using your navigational systems, changing your music or entertainment, and using your phone in any other capacity.
Driving on I-10 or I-12 can be dangerous, but even driving down New Orleans’ beautiful tree-lined streets can lead to distracted driving. Daydreaming, putting on makeup, getting changed, or trying to find something in your vehicle can also cause distraction and a potential crash.
Do You Need to Hire a Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer in Louisiana?
You aren’t required to hire an accident lawyer in Louisiana, but you should hire a car accident lawyer for several reasons. You are more likely to have a successful claim against a distracted driver who was to blame for the crash, and you are likely to recover greater levels of compensation in that claim. An attorney has resources and experience that help you hold your own against another driver’s car insurance company.
Navigating Your Distracted Driving Accident Case
There’s a short period of time you have to file a claim with an insurance company or a civil court. Reach out to Murphy Law Firm today and see how our attorneys can help you navigate the aftermath of a distracted driving accident in Louisiana.
*All figures cited are correct as of early 2026, but are still subject to changes.
Louisiana Distracted Driving Resources
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