Every time a driver picks up a phone, reaches for the radio, or lets their attention drift, they gamble with the lives of everyone around them on the road. Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of serious and fatal crashes in Indianapolis and across Indiana, and when that negligence results in devastating injuries, victims deserve more than an apology. When someone makes the choice to drive while distracted, whether by reading a text message, eating behind the wheel, adjusting a navigation system, or simply turning around to reach something in the backseat, that choice can change lives forever.

At Wagner Reese LLP, we have been standing up for injured Hoosiers since 1997, and we understand what is at stake when a distracted driver causes a crash. As part of our vehicle accident practice, we help victims of distracted driving accidents pursue the compensation they need to recover and move forward. If you were injured by a distracted driver in Indianapolis, our legal team is ready to fight for you.

The Scope of Distracted Driving in Indiana

Distracted driving remains a serious public safety crisis across the country. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving claimed 3,208 lives nationally in 2024 alone, with an estimated 315,167 people injured in crashes involving distracted drivers that same year. These numbers confirm what our team sees firsthand: negligent drivers continue to put innocent people at risk every single day.

Indiana has taken steps to address this danger. On July 1, 2020, the state enacted its Hands-Free Indiana law, which prohibits drivers from holding or using a mobile device while their vehicle is in motion. Violations carry fines and demerit points on the driver’s record, and a violation can also be used as evidence of negligence in a civil lawsuit. Despite this law, distracted driving crashes remain a persistent problem on Indianapolis roads and highways throughout the state.

Types of Distracted Driving

Distracted driving generally falls into three categories, and understanding each one helps explain why these collisions are so preventable yet so common.

Visual, Manual, and Cognitive Distractions

Visual distraction occurs when a driver looks away from the road, whether to read a text, check GPS directions, or glance at something outside the vehicle. Manual distraction occurs when a driver removes one or both hands from the wheel, such as when eating, reaching into a bag, or holding a phone. Cognitive distraction occurs when a driver’s mind drifts from the task of driving, which can happen during a phone conversation, while listening to a podcast, or even while deep in thought.

Texting while driving is particularly dangerous because it combines all three types of distraction at once. Sending or reading a text takes the average driver’s eyes off the road for approximately five seconds. At 55 miles per hour, that is the equivalent of driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.

Other Common Causes of Distracted Driving Accidents

While phones are the most talked-about distraction, many other behaviors take a driver’s attention away from the road. Common sources include using a map or navigation system, applying makeup or grooming, eating or drinking while driving, rubber-necking at an accident, and adjusting the stereo or climate controls. Many people drive so frequently that they underestimate how serious a responsibility it is, or they assume they are skilled enough to multitask safely. Sadly, the consequences of this reasoning can be deadly.

Compensation After a Distracted Driving Crash in Indianapolis

Indiana personal injury law allows victims of negligent drivers to seek damages, and those damages can be substantial depending on the severity of the crash.

Damages You May Be Entitled to Recover

Injured victims may pursue compensation, including medical expenses, future medical care, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and property damage. In the most serious cases, such as those involving catastrophic brain injuries, these losses can be extensive and life-altering. When a loved one has been killed by a distracted driver, families may also have grounds for a wrongful death claim under Indiana law.

Proving Fault in a Distracted Driving Case

Building a strong distracted driving claim requires evidence, and the window to gather it can close quickly. Phone records, witness statements, traffic camera footage, police reports, and crash reconstruction data can all play a role in establishing the other driver was distracted at the time of the collision. Our attorneys know how to investigate these cases thoroughly and how to counter insurance company tactics aimed at minimizing your recovery. Our blog on reckless driving in Indiana covers additional context on how negligent behaviors behind the wheel intersect with civil liability.

Why Choose Wagner Reese LLP for Your Distracted Driving Case

Our firm has dedicated decades to representing people who have been seriously hurt by someone else’s negligence, and we take the time to understand each client’s situation before building a strategy. Wagner Reese LLP has earned recognition from Super Lawyers, and our attorneys bring genuine trial experience to every case. We never charge a fee unless we recover compensation for you, which means there is no financial risk in reaching out.

We serve clients throughout Indianapolis and across Indiana, including Fort Wayne, South Bend, Carmel, Evansville, and West Lafayette, as well as clients in Illinois and Kentucky. No matter where in the region your accident occurred, we are here to help you understand your rights and your options.

Contact Wagner Reese LLP After a Distracted Driving Accident

If you were injured or your loved one was killed by a distracted driver in Indianapolis, time matters. Indiana’s statute of limitations places a strict deadline on personal injury and wrongful death claims, and critical evidence can disappear quickly. The sooner you speak with an attorney, the better positioned you will be to build your case and protect your right to compensation.

We offer free consultations and handle all distracted driving accident cases on a contingency fee basis. To get started, contact our office online and let Wagner Reese LLP put our experience to work for you. Se habla español.