After a distracted driving accident, it can feel like your whole life changes in an instant. A car crash caused by a distracted driver is not only frightening but can leave you with serious injuries, lost income, and growing medical bills. If the other driver receives a citation under Indiana’s hands-free law, you may wonder how it will impact your personal injury claim and whether it will help prove fault in your case.
How the hands-free law affects distracted driving cases
Indiana’s hands-free driving law makes it illegal for drivers to hold cell phones or other handheld devices while operating a motor vehicle. This new hands-free law was designed to reduce texting while driving, phone calls without hands-free devices, and the use of handheld phone technology that leads to driving accidents. In distracted driving cases, a citation can serve as vital evidence to establish negligence and show the at fault driver violated traffic laws. Police reports, phone records, and even dash cam footage can strengthen your personal injury claim when insurance companies dispute liability.
Examples of distracted driving accidents in Indiana
Car accidents linked to handheld devices have become common on highways like I-65 and local roads around Portage and Valparaiso. Some involve texting while driving, while others occur when an at-fault driver tries to use cell phones in hands-free mode but still becomes distracted. In many distracted driving accidents, police officers issue traffic citations at the accident scene when drivers fail to follow the law. Injured parties often face not only physical pain and emotional distress but also long-term financial recovery challenges, from lost wages to future treatments.
Why a citation alone may not guarantee compensation
While a driver’s violation of the hands-free law can help prove fault, it does not automatically mean you will receive full compensation. Insurance companies may argue that the driver’s fault was only partial or that your injuries were not caused directly by phone while driving. In personal injury cases, the strength of your injury claim depends on a combination of evidence: cell phone records, witness testimony, accident reports, and medical expenses documentation. That is why distracted driving cases require careful legal strategy to pursue fair compensation and protect injured parties from low settlement offers.
Steps to take after a distracted driving accident
If a distracted driver caused your crash, take action immediately. Request emergency services at the accident scene, obtain an accident report, and gather witness statements. Seek compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering by contacting a car accident lawyer who understands how to establish negligence. Be sure to review your insurance coverage and check how your policy and the other driver’s policyholders may provide coverage for your injuries. Taking these steps can make the difference between recovering compensation and being left without the financial recovery you need.
Call Sarkisian, Sarkisian, & Associates, PC
If you or a loved one were injured in a distracted driving accident and the other driver was cited under Indiana’s hands-free law, you deserve to know your options. Call Sarkisian, Sarkisian, & Associates, PC today for a free consultation. We will review your injury claim, discuss the circumstances surrounding your crash, and help you pursue fair compensation for your pain and suffering, medical bills, and lost wages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a citation under the new hands-free law prove the other driver was at fault?
It helps establish negligence, but insurance companies may still dispute liability. Supporting evidence like phone records and witness testimony is important.
What evidence can help my personal injury claim after a distracted driving accident?
Cell phone records, police reports, dash cam footage, and witness statements can all serve as vital evidence to prove fault and protect your right to seek compensation.
Can I recover medical bills and lost income after a distracted driving crash?
Yes. Injured parties may be entitled to financial recovery for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, depending on the strength of their injury claim.
How do handheld devices play a role in personal injury cases?
Handheld devices like cell phones are a major cause of distracted driving. A driver’s violation of the law prohibits phones while driving and supports your case for compensation.
Do I need a car accident lawyer for distracted driving cases?
Yes. A car accident lawyer can help you pursue fair compensation, establish the driver’s fault, and deal with insurance companies that may try to limit coverage.
