Licensed in Missouri and Kansas
We're In This Together Trust Our Kansas City Personal Injury Attorneys

Distracted Driving Accidents

Trust Our Kansas City Car Accident Attorneys to Help

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving killed 3,477 people and injured another 391,000 in the United States in 2015 alone. Distracted driving includes anything that takes a driver’s attention away from the activity of operating the vehicle.

Some examples of activities that could distract drivers include the following:

  • Using a cell phone
  • Eating
  • Changing the radio station
  • Talking with passengers

If you or your loved one are the victim of a distracted driver, don’t hesitate to speak with one of our Kansas City car accident attorneys as soon as possible. Our skilled lawyers at Meyerkord, Russell & Hergott are dedicated to providing legal advocacy to those who need it.

Contact us online or call (816) 867-8611 to schedule a free case consultation with us today.

Types of Distracted Driving

Many things can distract a person when driving, but some might affect the outcome of your case. There are three main types of distraction, including the following:

  • Visual: taking your eyes off the road
  • Manual: taking your hands off the wheel
  • Cognitive: taking your mind off the task of driving

Some tasks involve all three types of distraction, such as texting while driving. However, if something catches a driver’s attention on the road, such as an altercation or another crash on the highway, he or she may glance away from the task of driving, preventing him or her from seeing the car ahead slow down. A driver’s liability may be reduced if there was an emergency or outside distraction that prevented him or her from paying attention to the road. Each case is different, and you should discuss your situation with a qualified attorney to determine the strength of your position as a plaintiff.

Accidents Caused by Texting While Driving

Texting while driving has become a serious issue for Americans. In a recent study released by Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, it was found that truck drivers are 23 times more likely to be involved in auto accidents if using their cell phones for texting. It was also found that the risk was considerably higher for those dialing or texting than it was for those simply speaking on their cell phones. Even if the texting driver looks at his or her phone for under 5 seconds, the distance of a football field is crossed if driving at 55 miles per hour - an extreme danger to other drivers and their passengers.

Missouri Driving & Cell Phone Laws

Tragically, teenagers are particularly at risk when it comes to texting and driving accidents. Many young people cannot seem to stop texting, even when driving. The Missouri Legislature banned texting and driving for those under the age of 21 in 2009. There are a number of proposed bills that would make the texting and driving ban apply to all ages.

Missouri is one out of only six states that allow drivers over the age of 21 to text and drive. Texting and driving is one of the most dangerous activities that any vehicle operator or any age can engage in. Recent studies have shown that driving and texting causes a risk equal to driving while under the influence of alcohol.

Take the pledge to stop distracted driving #justdriveKC!

Call Our Skilled Attorneys Today

If you want to find out how strong your case is against a distracted driver, talk to one of our attorneys today. Our firm has more than 30 years of combined legal experience to offer your case. We will be glad to help you navigate the legal process of filing a personal injury claim so you can recover compensation for your injury and move on with your life. Let us see how we can help you.

Schedule a free initial consultation with us by calling (816) 867-8611 or contacting us online!

See Our Settlements
  • $6 Million Medical Malpractice, Confidential Parties
  • $5 Million Car Accident, Rear-End Collision
  • $3 Million Truck Accident
  • $3 Million Crime Victim
  • $3 Million Dram Shop Negligence, Co-Counsel
  • $2 Million Sexual Harassment, Discrimination, Abuse
  • $2 Million Sexual Abuse, Confidential Parties
  • $1 Million Car Accident
  • $1 Million Car Accident
  • $1 Million Truck Accident
  • $1 Million Wrongful Death
  • $500 Thousand Car Accident, Uninsured Motorist/Hit and Run
  • $500 Thousand Car Accident
  • $395 Thousand Medical Malpractice
  • $360 Thousand Wrongful Death
  • $350 Thousand Medical Malpractice
  • $345 Thousand Automobile Collision
  • $300 Thousand Medical Malpractice, Federal Tort Claim
  • $300 Thousand Wrongful Death
  • $250 Thousand Slip & Fall, City Crosswalk
  • $250 Thousand Third Party Negligence/Homeowners/Dog Leash Injury
  • $250 Thousand Car Crash
  • $225 Thousand Car Accident
  • $225 Thousand Intentional Assault
  • $225 Thousand Premises Liability, Trip And Fall On Stairs With No Handrail
  • $210 Thousand Tractor-Trailer Accident
  • $200 Thousand Car Accident, Rear-End Collision
  • $200 Thousand Car Accident, Rear-End Collision
  • $199 Thousand Slip & Fall
  • $195 Thousand Slip & Fall
  • $195 Thousand Car Accident, Ran A Red Light
  • $195 Thousand Medical Malpractice
  • $195 Thousand Medical Malpractice
  • $178 Thousand Medical Transport Injury
  • $175 Thousand Inadequate Security
  • $175 Thousand Slip & Fall
  • $147 Thousand Premises Liability
  • $135 Thousand Car Accident
  • $135 Thousand Slip & Fall
  • $133 Thousand Premises Liability, Trip And Fall
  • $130 Thousand Car Accident
  • $125 Thousand Premises Liability
  • $125 Thousand Uninsured Motorist Claim
  • $125 Thousand Uninsured Motorist Claim, Log Through Windshield
  • $122 Thousand Premises Liability
  • $120 Thousand Trucking Accident
  • $115 Thousand Car Accident, Uninsured Motorist
  • $111 Thousand Inadequate Security
  • $108 Thousand Premises Liability, Trip & Fall
  • $103 Thousand Car And Pedestrain Accident, Hit And Run
  • $100 Thousand Car And Pedestrain Accident, Hit And Run
  • $100 Thousand Car Accident, Policy Limits
  • $100 Thousand Automobile Collision
  • $100 Thousand Car Accident
  • $100 Thousand Car Accident
  • $100 Thousand Motor Vehicle Accident Claim
  • $100 Thousand Dog Bite
  • $100 Thousand Railroad Injury
  • $100 Thousand UTV Rollover
  • $75 Thousand Truck Crash