It only takes a brief moment of distraction for someone to cause a collision in Ohio. Some of the most common causes of distracted driving crashes in Ohio are no surprise, while others are less well known.
If you have been injured due to a negligent driver, you can work with an injury lawyer to gather evidence supporting your claim. Phone records, witness statements, and other key pieces of evidence can show that the other driver was distracted at the time of the crash.
Cellphone Use and Texting Behind the Wheel
Distracted driving is a serious and dangerous form of driver negligence in Ohio. In 2024, 315,167 people were injured due to inattentive driving. The use of a phone while driving causes roughly 1.6 million collisions per year. When drivers are texting, messaging, reading their phone, or talking on their smartphone, those moments of distraction can cause serious collisions.
Distracted drivers may fail to see traffic come to a stop or a driver enter their lane. This can lead to rear-end collisions or accidents caused by a driver’s sudden attempts to swerve and avoid a crash. Injured drivers and passengers may seek medical attention at Ohio State University Hospital, Mount Carmel East, or another healthcare facility in Ohio.
Other Common Forms of Driver Distraction
Any actions that take a driver’s attention off the road or their hands off the wheel can cause a crash. Eating while driving, fiddling with the navigation system, adjusting the radio, and talking to passengers are all activities that can potentially cause a wreck.
Under Ohio Revised Code § 4511.204, drivers generally cannot use, hold, or physically support a cell phone or other electronic wireless device while operating a vehicle. This makes handheld phone use a primary offense, meaning an officer can stop a driver after visually observing the prohibited device use.
Proving Distraction After a Collision
Following a collision at Over-the-Rhine, along Reading Road, or elsewhere in the state, proving negligence can be a key first step when pursuing compensation. Proving that a driver was distracted requires evidence.
Eyewitness statements, dashcam footage, and smartphone records can all be used to show that the driver was not paying attention to the road at the time of the collision. Once fault is established, the injured party can pursue compensation for the harm they suffered from the collision.
Why You Should Hire a Distracted Driver Accident Lawyer
Even if you understand the basics about Ohio’s distracted driving accident laws, pursuing compensation through these types of cases can be far more challenging than you think. Distracted driving cases may require court filings, and false accusations by the at-fault party could jeopardize your claim. When you hire a distracted driver accident lawyer, you gain steady support from an Ohio distracted driver accident attorney who handles distracted driving cases.
Spangenberg Shibley & Liber brings decades of experience to these matters, and we have secured more than $1 billion for our clients through focused settlement negotiations and strategic litigation.
Our award-winning lawyers understand the steps that are needed to establish fault, so you receive the compensation that you are owed from the negligent driver who caused your wreck. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Awards and recognition are not guarantees of future results. Every case is different, and award criteria vary by organization.
Injured by a Distracted Driver? Let’s Talk
Distracted driving collisions are preventable, yet texting, cellphone use, eating, and other distractions continue to put Ohio motorists at risk. If a distracted driver caused your injuries, Spangenberg Shibley & Liber can investigate what happened and gather evidence to establish fault. Our experienced trial lawyers can manage negotiations with insurers and pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact Spangenberg Shibley & Liber today.
