Injured In A Distracted Driving Accident In Monroe Or Bastrop? We’re Here For You.

Last updated on July 1, 2025

Distracted driving is one of the most hazardous behaviors on Louisiana roads, leading to severe injuries and potentially long-lasting consequences. Every day on busy highways like Interstate 20, people are at risk from distracted drivers. If someone injures you or a loved one, holding them accountable is crucial.

At Downs Law Firm, we are family-owned and dedicated to protecting you and your loved ones. Our team of attorneys has over 25 years of experience supporting people affected by these devastating crashes in Monroe, Bastrop and surrounding communities. Our distracted driving attorneys are ready to help when someone jeopardizes your health and financial future.

What Are The Three Types Of Distracted Driving?

While most of us know that distracted driving is risky, few understand all the behaviors it includes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention places distractions into three categories:

• Visual: Taking your eyes off the road for even a few seconds to look at the scenery, your phone, the GPS or touchscreen controls on your car or anything that takes your attention away from the road.
• Manual: Taking your hands off the wheel to check texts or emails, eating while driving, changing the radio station or reaching for anything other than the steering wheel.
• Cognitive: Taking your mind off driving for any reason, including talking, singing, worrying about a problem or daydreaming.

Our attorneys understand the complexities of proving these complicated car wreck cases. If a distracted driver injures you, we are committed to helping you recover compensation for your medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering and any other damages you deserve.

Sobering Statistics On The Impact Of Distracted Driving

The toll of inattentive drivers has risen dramatically over the past two decades. The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission reports that 678 people died in 2021, and another 23,089 were injured in distracted driving crashes.

Consider these nationwide statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

• Nearly 3,000 people die every year from distracted driving accidents
• Roughly 8% of all U.S. fatalities involve distracted drivers
• Nine people die every day across the country
• 324,652 people were injured in 2020
• 587 pedestrians and cyclists were killed by distracted drivers in 2020
• On average, motorists spend over 1 ½ minutes on their phones per hour while driving
• Most distracted driving accidents happen between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m.

The NHTSA reports that distracted driving accidents have killed over 29,000 people since 2012. Think of it – that’s more than three times the population of Bastrop.

According to NHTSA, you travel the length of a football field when taking your eyes off the road for five seconds while driving 55 mph.

Distracted Driving And Rear-End Accidents

Rear-end accidents are often a result of distracted driving. When attention is diverted, it can affect a person’s reaction times when traffic conditions change ahead of them. A distracted driver may not see a light turn red or may fail to notice that traffic has backed up in a construction zone on the interstate. By the time they do notice, it is too late to avoid a rear-end crash. Distracted driving may also lead to:

• T-bone accidents
• Left-turn accidents
• Head-on collisions
• Accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists

These accidents can result in major injuries, fatalities and legal complications. Some of the most serious injuries include spinal cord and traumatic brain injury, disability, disfigurement, internal injuries and severe burns.

Texting And Driving Laws In Louisiana

Texting and driving is extremely dangerous because it involves all three types of distracted driving: visual, manual and cognitive distraction. Experiencing these distractions simultaneously can significantly increase the risk of an accident as well as injuries and fatalities. This has become such a problem that Louisiana enacted strict laws prohibiting the use of mobile devices while driving. Violations can lead to significant fines and moving violations. However, there are some exceptions for cellphone use while driving, such as:

• Reporting legal activity
• Summoning emergency assistance
• Performing official duties as a firefighter or law-enforcement officer
• Using a GPS
• Providing health care services

Outside of these situations, hands-free systems can sometimes be used, such as by truck drivers, but not in school zones. Drivers who have a class E learner’s license are not allowed to use cellphones at all unless they have a hands-free system.

Louisiana’s Distracted Driving Laws

Aside from cellphone use, Louisiana law addresses general distracted driving, which may include things like:

• Talking to passengers
• Dealing with children or pets
• Eating and drinking
• Searching for a new radio station
• Personal grooming
• Rubbernecking at previous accidents
• Reading a map
• Trying to pick up items that have fallen on the floor

Beyond texting, device-based distraction is defined as:

• Writing or reading on the phone
• Selecting a text message or conversation
• Entering a telephone number
• Entering a name
• Making a telephone call
• Posting on social media sites
• Reading an email

Essentially, drivers are banned from using devices in the car for any reason, other than the exceptions noted previously, such as emergency services or GPS use. When they violate these laws, car accidents often result, harming innocent victims.

Penalties And Legal Consequences For Violating Louisiana’s Distracted Driving Laws

Violations of texting and driving or distracted driving laws can lead to significant financial fines. For instance:

• A first offense leads to up to $500 in fines.
• A second offense brings up to $1,000 in fines and a license suspension for 60 days.
• If the driver has caused a distracted driving crash, the state doubles the fines.
• For drivers who are under 18, the first violation is a $250 fine, while the second is a $500 fine and a 60-day license suspension.

Additionally, the driver could have points added to their record, which could eventually lead to the loss of a driver’s license, and they may face civil liability, meaning that you would be held financially responsible for the damages in a distracted driving accident.

Injured parties may be able to seek compensation through a personal injury lawsuit that reflects issues like medical bills, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, disability, disfigurement, property damage, and pain and suffering.

Proving Fault In A Distracted Driving Accident

It can be difficult to prove fault after distracted driving car accidents, but potential sources of evidence may include:

• Witness statements
• Dashcam footage
• Text logs
• Social media records
• Phone usage data from a phone carrier

If someone was actively sending text messages at the same time as an accident, it could show that their distraction with the device caused the crash. This could give the injured party grounds to seek compensation.

Why It Is Important To Hire An Experienced Lawyer In Monroe & Bastrop

It is important to hire an experienced distracted driving lawyer in Monroe and Bastrop so that you can understand all of your legal options, gather appropriate evidence and build your case, especially if litigation is a possibility. You need a distracted driving attorney who is deeply knowledgeable about state distracted driving laws and can help with deadlines, court dates, filing documentation and other tasks.

Let Our Family Protect Yours. Call For A Free Consultation.

If a distracted driver has harmed you or your family, call Downs Law Firm at 318-284-8551 or email us to schedule your free consultation. Our caring and experienced distracted driving attorneys will pursue the justice you deserve.