At Dudley DeBosier, We Fight for Distracted Driving Victims
Every day on Louisiana roads, drivers pick up their phones, glance at texts, or reach for something on the seats beside them. In the seconds their attention leaves the road, lives can change forever. If a distracted driver injured you or a loved one, you may have the right to pursue compensation for what you’ve been through.
Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers represent victims of distracted driving accidents across Louisiana. We understand how these crashes happen, what the law requires, and how to build a case that holds negligent drivers accountable.
Contact us today for a free case review.
Distracted Driving on Louisiana Roads
Distracted driving is one of the most preventable causes of serious injury and death on the road, and Louisiana is among the hardest-hit states in the nation. According to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), distracted driving was a factor in 25% of fatal crashes in Louisiana in 2024.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classifies the types of distracted driving into three categories:
- Visual distractions that take your eyes off the road
- Manual distractions that take your hands off the wheel
- Cognitive distractions that take your mind off driving
Common distracted driving behaviors that contribute to accidents include texting and phone use, programming a GPS, eating or drinking, applying makeup, reaching for fallen objects, and rubbernecking at other crashes or roadside activity.
Louisiana’s Distracted Driving Laws
Louisiana has significantly strengthened its distracted driving laws in recent years. As of August 1, 2025, Louisiana drivers are prohibited from:
- Holding or using a phone while driving, including talking, texting, or browsing
- Using a phone in a school zone or construction zone, even hands-free
Drivers who need to use their phone may do so legally by:
- Using Bluetooth or other wireless earpiece technology
- Using speakerphone with the phone placed in a mount
- Pulling off the road to a safe location before using the device
Penalties begin at $100 for a first offense and increase for repeat violations. Violations in school zones and construction sites carry fines of up to $250. Louisiana law allows injured parties to use a driver’s citation or traffic violation as part of their personal injury case.
Establishing Liability in a Distracted Driving Accident
In Louisiana, a distracted driver who causes an accident may be held liable for the injuries and losses they cause. To recover compensation, an injured person generally must show that the other driver was distracted, that the distraction caused or contributed to the accident, and that the accident caused the injuries.
Evidence used to establish distracted driving liability can include:
- Phone records: Cell phone records can show whether a driver was texting, calling, or using data at the time of the crash.
- Traffic citations: A citation for a cell phone violation or other traffic infraction at the time of the accident is evidence of
- Witness statements: Bystanders, other drivers, and passengers may have seen the at-fault driver not paying attention.
- Surveillance and dashcam footage: Video from traffic cameras, nearby businesses, or dashcams can sometimes capture distracted behavior.
- Accident reconstruction: In serious crashes, reconstruction experts can help establish speed, braking patterns, and whether the driver took evasive action.
Louisiana follows a pure comparative fault system. This means that even if you were partially at fault for the accident, you may still recover compensation proportional to the other driver’s share of fault. An attorney can help protect your interests if the other side tries to shift blame onto you.
At Dudley DeBosier, we know insurance companies may try to use unfair tactics to avoid accountability, and we are prepared to fight back. When you work with us, you get a legal team that can handle all communication on your behalf. We are also deeply familiar with Louisiana pure comparative fault law and how it could apply to your case.
Contact us today for a free case review.
What to Do After a Distracted Driving Accident in Louisiana
The steps you take in the hours and days after a distracted driving accident can significantly affect your health and your ability to pursue a claim:
- Seek medical care as soon as possible and follow all treatment recommendations. Medical records are critical evidence.
- Call the police. A police report documents the accident and may note if distracted driving is suspected. Request a copy of the report for your records.
- Photograph vehicle damage, the road, traffic signals, skid marks, and visible injuries. Note the time, location, weather conditions, and direction each vehicle was traveling.
- Collect names and contact information from witnesses. Their accounts can be valuable if the other driver disputes fault.
- Do not admit fault when speaking with the other driver, bystanders, or insurance representatives.
Contact a lawyer before you speak with anyone from an insurance company. Adjusters may contact you right after a crash while you are at your most vulnerable and use your own statements against your claim. The personal injury attorneys at Dudley DeBosier can protect your interests so that you have the best chance of collecting fair compensation.
Compensation Available in Distracted Driving Cases
Victims of distracted driving may be entitled to pursue compensation for the full range of harm they experienced. Damages can include:
- Past and future medical treatment, rehabilitation, and medications
- Lost wages and earning capacity
- Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and the overall impact on quality of life
- The cost to repair or replace the vehicle and any other personal property
- Wrongful death claim for funeral expenses, loss of support, and loss of companionship
Every case is different, and the value of a claim depends on the nature and severity of the injuries, the strength of the evidence, and other factors specific to your situation. Our attorneys can evaluate your case and help you understand what types of compensation may be available to you.
You Have Two Years to File Your Claim
In Louisiana, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident or injury. Note that this two-year period covers incidents that occurred on or after July 1, 2024. Accidents that happened before that date remain subject to the prior one-year rule.
Two years may seem like a long time, but evidence can be lost, witnesses become harder to locate, and memories fade. If you wait too long to act, you may lose your right to file a claim. Reaching out to an attorney as soon as possible after an accident gives you the best chance of preserving your claim.
Dudley DeBosier Can Help with Your Distracted Driving Case
Distracted driving accidents can leave victims with serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and uncertainty about what comes next. At Dudley DeBosier, our attorneys have spent years representing injury victims across Louisiana. We know how to investigate these cases, build a case for distraction, and advocate for the compensation our clients deserve.
We can investigate the accident, gather evidence to establish that the other driver was distracted at the time of the crash, handle communications with insurance companies, and identify the full scope of your damages. We are prepared to take your case to trial if a fair resolution cannot be reached.
Contact Dudley DeBosier today for a free, no-obligation case review.
