Distracted driving remains a serious issue across Missouri, with 106 lives lost in 2024 alone due to crashes involving a distracted driver. Distracted and inattentive driving in Independence, Missouri, is a clear form of negligence, and the people hurt by it deserve accountability and support.
Our experienced Independence distracted driver accident lawyers represent individuals and families who have suffered harm because someone else failed to pay attention behind the wheel. Whether you were hit by someone texting, eating, or just not looking where they were going, we’re here to help you move forward.Â
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Have you been in a car accident caused by a distracted driver in Independence, Missouri? Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers has over 35+ years experienced handling auto accident injury claims. Call (816) 382-6915 for a free case evaluation.
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What Our Distracted Driver Accident Lawyers in Independence Can Do For You
At Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, we don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. We know every case involves different injuries, different losses, and different obstacles. That’s why we handle every part of your case ourselves—from day one until your claim is resolved.
We Take On the Insurance Companies
Attorneys Paul Beck and John Beck will handle every call and every form with the insurance companies involved. This includes your own coverage as well as the other driver’s insurer.
We make sure you get any benefits you’re entitled to, and we protect you from saying or signing anything that could hurt your claim.
We Investigate and Build a Case
Distracted drivers don’t always admit fault. We look at police reports, camera footage, phone records, and witness statements to prove what happened. We also identify all liable parties—because sometimes more than one person or company may be responsible.
We Help You Recover Financially
When you’re hurt, the financial hit can come from every direction—missed paychecks, hospital bills, out-of-pocket charges, and whatever care you might need going forward. We keep track of all of it and include those numbers in the claim, making sure the full cost doesn’t fall back on you.
If your injuries are likely to affect your life down the line, we push to have that future impact reflected in what you’re owed.
We Keep You Informed
Throughout the process, we’ll explain your options and answer your questions in plain language. You won’t be left wondering where your case stands—we’ll walk through every step with you.
The 3 Types of Distracted Driving
Distractions behind the wheel fall into one of three categories: visual, manual, or cognitive. Knowing the difference matters, especially after a crash involving a distracted or inattentive driver.
Visual Distractions
These happen when your eyes leave the road—even for just a second. Whether you’re glancing at a GPS, reading a billboard, or checking a text, those quick looks can cause you to miss changing traffic signals, slowing cars, or road hazards. Even turning to look at a passenger or an accident scene qualifies as a visual distraction.
Manual Distractions
Anytime your hands come off the wheel, you’re more at risk. Eating, reaching for your phone, adjusting the AC, or even changing the radio can delay your ability to respond quickly. In that split second, if traffic shifts, you might not have time to avoid a collision.
Cognitive Distractions
These are tougher to spot because your hands and eyes might still be in the right place—but your mind isn’t. If you’re thinking about work, stressing over a fight, or zoning out during a long drive, your awareness slips. Conversations, emotions, or even fatigue can dull your reaction time without you realizing it.
Some behaviors—like texting, eating, or reaching into the backseat—fall into all three categories at once, which is why they’re especially dangerous and lead to serious accidents more often.
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Distracted driving is a clear form of negligence, and the people hurt by it deserve accountability and support. Call (816) 382-6915 now to speak with our award-winning distracted driver accident attorneys in Independence, Missouri.
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Missouri’s Hands-Free Law
Missouri’s Siddens Bening Hands-Free Law went into effect on January 1, 2025. It’s a major step toward curbing distracted driving and cutting down on crashes caused by phone use. Unlike before, this law applies to all drivers statewide and has real consequences for violations.
What Changed Under the Law
Before this update, Missouri only banned texting for drivers under 21 and those in commercial vehicles. That left most adult drivers free to use their phones behind the wheel. The new law closes that gap, applying to drivers of all ages and vehicle types. It prohibits holding or handling a phone for any reason while driving. This includes:
- Texting or typing
- Making or answering calls
- Browsing the internet or social media
- Recording or watching videos
- Using apps or reading notifications
- FaceTiming or taking photos
Hands-free features like Bluetooth, dashboard mounts, or voice controls are still allowed as long as the driver isn’t physically holding the phone.
Fines and Legal Penalties
The first time you’re caught, the fine can reach $150. A second violation may cost up to $250, and further offenses can run as high as $500. In school or work zones, fines can go up to $500. If a crash leads to serious or catastrophic injury, the driver could face six months in jail. If it results in a death, the penalty could include up to seven years in prison.
Proving a Distracted Driver Caused the Accident
If you’re trying to hold someone accountable for driving distracted, it comes down to showing what they were doing in the moments before the crash. You’ll need proof that they weren’t paying attention, and that their distraction caused the accident.
This usually takes more than one type of evidence.
Digital Clues and Phone Records
In most distracted driving cases, phone records can be a key part of the evidence. They might show if the driver sent a text, opened an app, or made a call right around the time of the collision.
Those records often come with timestamps that line up with the impact. In some cases, video footage—whether from a dashcam, street camera, or nearby business—can show the driver looking down or holding a phone just before it happened.
What the Scene Can Reveal
The way a crash happens can sometimes tell its own story. If the driver never hit the brakes, veered suddenly, or blew through a light or stop sign, it could point to distraction. Investigators can look at things like tire marks, impact angles, and vehicle placement to get a clearer picture.
Other Evidence That Helps
Along with physical proof and digital data, the following can also back up your claim:
- A police report that mentions the driver wasn’t focused
- Tickets for using a phone or driving carelessly
- Eyewitnesses who saw the driver looking away
- A reconstruction expert who studied how the crash unfolded
- Photos, videos, or in-car data
- Or even a statement from the driver admitting they were distracted
Each detail on its own might not be enough, but when you put it all together, the full picture usually becomes clear. That’s what helps you prove they were at fault.
Damages You Can Seek for a Texting and Driving Accident
If you were hit by someone who was texting, you’ve likely taken on more than just the damage to your car. Injuries, medical bills, time away from work—it all adds up.
Missouri law lets you file a claim for those losses, and in many cases, the distracted driver is found mostly or fully at fault.
What You Can Recover Financially
Some losses are easier to measure because they show up on bills or pay stubs. You can include:
- Emergency room bills, ambulance costs, and time spent in the hospital
- Any follow-up care, physical therapy, or medical appointments
- Expenses to adjust your car or home if your injuries make it necessary
- Lost income or reduced pay if you’re no longer able to work like before
- Future care costs if recovery isn’t quick or straightforward
Our experienced Independence distracted driver accident lawyers keep track of every expense related to the crash, including those that show up well after the accident.
Losses That Don’t Come With a Receipt
Not everything you’ve lost can be measured in dollars. But they still matter. You may also be able to recover money for:
- The pain you deal with day to day or how your body doesn’t move like it used to
- Ongoing anxiety, mood changes, or emotional strain
- Problems with sleep, focus, or memory since the crash
- The toll your injuries have taken on your relationship or family life
- Grief and loss if someone close to you died in the accident
A wreck like this can turn your life upside down. Our skilled attorneys work to make sure the compensation reflects that.
Experienced Texting and Driving Lawyers in Independence, Missouri
If you were hit by an inattentive driver, our experienced Independence car accident attorneys are here to help you understand your options and take the right steps forward. We specially handle Missouri car accident claims, so we’re familiar with how state laws work and how insurance companies operate here.
Our team looks closely at the details of your crash, walks you through the process, and works hard to help you go after the full amount you may be entitled to.
If you were involved in a texting and driving car accident in Independence, Missouri, contact us today to speak directly with our legal team. We are available 24/7 to assist you.
Cities near Independence, Missouri, which our knowledgeable attorneys serve include Jefferson City, St. Louis,  O’Fallon, Florissant, Kansas City, Springfield, Joplin, Columbia, and more.
