Every time someone picks up their phone while driving, they put others at risk. That moment of distraction can lead to crashes and serious personal injury. Distracted driving can cause more than broken bones or bruises. Many victims face emotional trauma, lost income, and long recoveries.
When careless choices lead to harm, injured drivers and passengers have legal options. Led by attorney William D. Bloodworth II, Bloodworth Law Firm, P.L.L.C. represents people hurt by distracted drivers.
They work with clients across Texas, with offices located in Conroe, Huntsville, and The Woodlands. If you’ve been hurt in a crash caused by phone use, get in touch with the firm to better understand your legal path forward.
Distractions Behind the Wheel
Distracted driving means any action that takes your focus off driving. Even a few seconds of distraction can cause life-altering injury. Drivers may not realize how risky simple habits can be. A glance at a phone or radio can turn into a major crash in seconds.
Some of the most common distractions include:
Texting while driving
Adjusting music or GPS
Eating or drinking
Applying makeup
These behaviors often lead to rear-end crashes, intersection accidents, and sideswipes. All of them can result in serious personal injury.
The Impact on Victims
When another driver causes a crash, the injured party pays the price. Victims can suffer long-term damage that affects every part of life. They may lose their ability to work, face chronic pain, or need long-term therapy. These are real losses that go far beyond a broken vehicle.
Medical bills, emotional stress, and time away from family add to the burden. For many, the road to recovery isn’t quick or easy.
How Texas Law Addresses Distracted Driving
Texas bans texting while driving. That means no reading, writing, or sending texts behind the wheel, even at stoplights. The state doesn’t ban all handheld phone use, but many restrictions still apply. These are designed to protect the public, especially vulnerable road users.
For example, it’s illegal to use a handheld phone:
While driving in a school zone
If you're under 18 years old
If you're a new driver in the first 6 months
When driving a school bus with children on board
Violations can bring fines and may affect a teen driver’s license status. In many areas, local ordinances impose even stricter rules.
Why Phone Use Is a Legal Issue
Using a phone while driving isn’t just a safety issue—it’s a legal one. Distracted driving can be used as proof of negligence in a personal injury claim. Negligence means the driver didn’t act with reasonable care. If that negligence caused your injury, they may be financially responsible.
Even if the driver was using hands-free technology, they can still be found at fault. Distraction doesn't have to involve a phone in the hand, so it’s important to investigate thoroughly.
Legal Penalties for Distracted Drivers
Drivers caught texting may face citations, fines, or points on their license. But when distraction causes injury, the penalties become more serious.
They may face civil lawsuits brought by injured parties. In some cases, criminal charges apply—especially if the crash causes severe injury or death. But for victims, financial recovery through a personal injury claim is often the only way to move forward.
What Victims May Recover
If you're injured by a distracted driver, the law may allow you to recover compensation for several types of losses:
Emergency care, hospital bills, and future medical treatment
Lost wages or reduced earning ability
Physical and emotional pain from the injury
These aren’t just numbers—they reflect the real cost of someone else's poor decision. Personal injury claims are based on facts, not emotions. That’s why evidence collection matters from the start.
Steps to Take After a Crash
If you're in a crash and suspect the other driver was distracted, it’s important to act quickly.
Here’s what the firm recommends:
Call the police and make a full report
Take photos of the scene and your injuries
See a doctor and follow medical advice
Don’t give statements to insurers before speaking to a lawyer
Insurance companies may try to shift blame or reduce your claim. Getting legal help early can protect your interests.
Why Timing Matters
Texas has deadlines for personal injury claims. These rules are known as statutes of limitations. Waiting too long could prevent your case from being heard. Early legal action helps preserve evidence and protect your rights.
If you’ve been injured, talk to a lawyer as soon as you’re able. It’s one of the most important steps you can take after a crash.
Distracted Driving Leads to Real Harm
Distracted driving isn't just a traffic violation. It’s a serious behavior that puts lives at risk every day. Even a single second of inattention can cause permanent injuries, or worse. The law treats this risk seriously for good reason.
Broken bones, brain injuries, spinal damage, and emotional trauma are common outcomes. The impact may last a lifetime.
Accountability and Legal Responsibility
Drivers who take their eyes off the road must answer for their actions. That’s what personal injury law is built to address. Legal responsibility isn’t about punishing someone—it’s about helping victims rebuild. It’s about fairness after harm.
Bloodworth Law Firm, P.L.L.C. helps clients understand what they can do next. They handle each case with the care it deserves.
When Distraction Changes Everything
Some crashes caused by distraction lead to permanent disability or death. These are the most heartbreaking cases the firm handles. In those situations, legal action may include wrongful death claims or long-term care planning. Every case depends on the facts.
Whether you’re dealing with a concussion, back injury, or life-changing trauma, legal support can make a real difference.
It's Not Just About Phones
While phone use is the most well-known form of distracted driving, other actions are just as dangerous. It’s not only texting that causes crashes. Drivers who eat, apply makeup, or argue with passengers can also be distracted.
These behaviors increase crash risk and lead to personal injury. The more we understand about distraction, the more we can prevent its effects on the road.
Put the Phone Down—It’s Worth It
Choosing to ignore the phone while driving is one of the safest decisions you can make. It protects others—and it protects your legal record. Avoiding distraction lowers your crash risk, keeps insurance costs down, and reduces the chance of injuring someone else. If distraction causes a crash, you may face legal and financial consequences.
Distracted driving isn't just a personal choice—it affects passengers, other drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. The ripple effect of one poor decision can touch many lives. That’s why the law allows injured victims to hold others responsible. If you've been hurt, your voice matters. Your case may also help prevent future harm to others.
Talk to Someone Who Understands
Bloodworth Law Firm, P.L.L.C. understands how life can change in an instant after a crash. That’s why they’re committed to guiding you through the legal process with clarity, compassion, and decades of personal injury experience.
If you’ve been hurt by a distracted driver in Conroe, Huntsville, The Woodlands, or Livingston, don’t wait to get support. Contact the firm today to schedule a consultation and start rebuilding with confidence.
