A look at distracted driving in Louisiana

Unfortunately, distracted driving contributes to a number of car accidents. From 2011 to 2015, 192 victims were killed, and 26,077 victims were injured in Louisiana in distraction-related car accidents. Victims of distracted driving-related car accidents can suffer serious damages, including injuries or death. As a result, a distracted driving-related car accident can have a significant impact on victims and their families.

While cell phone use and texting while driving are the most familiar and commonly known types of distraction, any activity that removes the driver's hands from the steering wheel, eyes from the roadway and the focus and attention from the roadway and the task of driving are considered distracted driving. Specific examples of distracted driving include cell phone use while driving; accessing the internet while driving; texting while driving; operating a navigation device or radio while driving; engaging with passengers while driving; or eating or grooming while driving, among other behaviors.

Louisiana law prohibits texting while driving and makes it a primary offense police officers can pull drivers over. Louisiana law also requires hands-free cell phone use in school zones and prohibits cell phone use for drivers under the age of 16. Distracted driving and texting while driving are particular concerns for teen drivers. When victims and families have been injured by a distracted driver, legal remedies are available to help them recover compensation for the damages they have suffered from the negligent driver. A violation of the law may be used as evidence of negligence in a claim for damages.

Negligent drivers, such as distracted drivers, are responsible to victims for the harm they cause under the personal injury legal system. A personal injury or wrongful death claim for damages can help victims recover compensation for the physical, financial and economic damages associated with a distracted driving-related car accident which can be extensive.

Source: LouisianaHighwaySafety.org, "Distracted Driving," accessed on Sept. 16, 2017