Distracted driving continues to be a widespread and deadly problem in Carrollton and across North Texas. In Dallas, Collin, and Denton counties alone, distracted driving leads to more than 10,000 crashes every year. According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), in 2024, nearly one in five crashes across the state involved a distracted driver, resulting in 373 deaths and 2,587 serious injuries.
Under Texas state law, drivers are prohibited from reading, writing, or sending electronic messages while operating a motor vehicle. Despite this, many still choose to drive distracted, putting everyone on the road at risk. At O’Hare and Koch Law Firm, we help injured victims and grieving families hold distracted drivers accountable. If you suspect someone was texting when they caused your crash, we know how to investigate, obtain critical evidence, and prove fault so you get the compensation you deserve.
What Counts as “Distracted Driving” in Texas?
Distracted driving includes any activity that diverts attention from driving, such as texting, eating, adjusting the GPS, or even talking to passengers. These distractions reduce reaction time, impair judgment, and lead to devastating crashes.
While Texas has enacted criminal penalties for texting and driving, those consequences often fall short of delivering justice for victims. A civil lawsuit allows you to pursue financial recovery for your injuries and losses, including medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages and sometimes more. More importantly, it helps hold the at-fault driver fully accountable under the law.
Carrollton’s Most Dangerous Intersections for Distracted Driving Accidents
Distracted driving can cause accidents anywhere, but some areas in Carrollton are especially high-risk:
- President George Bush Turnpike & Old Denton Road – This is a fast-moving interchange where frequent merging and high traffic volumes contribute to frequent rear-end and side-impact crashes.
- Marsh Lane & East Trinity Mills Road – This is a heavily traveled intersection near busy shopping areas where distracted turns and sudden stops can cause crashes.
- President George Bush Turnpike & North Josey Lane – Confusing lane patterns and merging zones make this a hotspot for distracted driving incidents.
- Hebron Parkway & Marsh Lane – Traffic fluctuations near churches and commercial areas lead to a high rate of T-bone accidents from inattention.
- North Josey Lane & Frankford Road – This intersection has a mix of residential and commercial traffic with multiple signal phases, where it’s easy for distracted drivers to miss changes and cause accidents.
Types of Distracted Driving Cases We Handle
When drivers take their eyes or attention off the road — whether to text, adjust the GPS, or handle something inside the vehicle — the risk of a crash increases significantly. Proving a driver was distracted isn’t always easy, but it’s often necessary to show they were negligent and to hold them fully accountable under the law.
Our team knows how to uncover the evidence needed to support your claim and pursue full compensation. We represent clients who’ve been injured in a wide range of crashes and incidents involving distraction or impairment:
- Car Accidents
Common crash types that involve distracted driving include rear-end collisions, side-impact crashes, and lane-departure crashes that involve sideswiping a vehicle or hitting a roadside object. Severe injuries can result from even a moment of inattention, such as when drivers run a red light, miss a stop sign, or fail to notice slowing traffic. - Truck Accidents
Commercial truck drivers must follow strict safety regulations, but distractions like GPS use, dispatch messages, or even fatigue can cause devastating crashes. These cases are often complex, involving federal regulations and multiple liable parties, including the trucking company. - Bus Accidents
Because of their size and weight, buses can cause significant damage in a crash, particularly in traffic-heavy areas or when carrying numerous passengers. Legal responsibility can be difficult to sort out, as it may involve a city agency, a school district, or a private company, each with its own legal requirements and timelines for filing a claim. - Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists are especially vulnerable when drivers don’t see them due to distraction. If a driver failed to check their blind spot or drifted into your lane while texting, we’ll work to hold them accountable and secure compensation for your injuries. - Boating Accidents
Distracted operation of boats can lead to collisions, capsizing, and serious injuries. We handle cases where operators failed to watch their surroundings due to phones, alcohol, or reckless behavior. - Pedestrian Accidents
Distracted drivers often fail to yield or even notice pedestrians in crosswalks or near intersections. These accidents can cause catastrophic injuries. We stand up for injured pedestrians and help prove driver negligence. - Work Injuries
If you were hit by a distracted driver while on the job — whether operating a company vehicle or working near traffic — your case may involve both a personal injury claim and employer-related coverage. These complex cases often require coordination between liability insurance, workers’ compensation, and third-party claims. - Wrongful Death
Fatal crashes caused by distracted driving leave families facing sudden loss, emotional devastation, and financial uncertainty. In these cases, a wrongful death claim can help loved ones obtain justice and provide compensation for lost future income, loss of companionship, mental anguish, and more.
Injured by a Distracted Driver in Carrollton? Here’s What to Do
After a serious crash, it can be hard to know what to do next, especially if you’re injured or in shock. However, the actions you take immediately afterward can make a meaningful difference in your recovery and your ability to pursue a legal claim later. Here’s what to focus on:
- Call 911to request police support and request medical help – Even if your injuries seem minor, get checked by emergency responders. Some injuries, like concussions or internal bleeding, may not show symptoms right away.
- Get a police report – Ask responding officers how to get a copy of the police report, as it will serve as a key piece of evidence if you pursue a legal claim. Be sure to tell them if you noticed anything to suggest the other driver was distracted at the time of the crash.
- Take photos and videos
Capture multiple angles of all vehicles involved, their positions on the road, nearby traffic signs or signals, skid marks, and any debris or visible hazards. - Document your injuries
Photograph visible injuries right away and continue tracking changes over time. Keep a journal noting pain levels, limitations in movement, and how your daily routine is affected. - Get witness contact information
Eyewitnesses can offer critical outside perspectives that help confirm fault. Write down their names and phone numbers before they leave the scene. - Don’t admit fault or post about the crash online
Even seemingly harmless comments can be used against you by insurance companies or defense attorneys. Avoid making any statements until you’ve spoken with a lawyer. - Speak with a Carrollton distracted driving accident lawyer before talking to insurers
Insurance adjusters may pressure you to settle quickly or downplay your injuries. A lawyer can protect your rights, help preserve evidence, and guide you through the legal process from the start.
Why Hire a Local Carrollton Distracted Driving Attorney?
O’Hare and Koch Law Firm is based right here in Carrollton, and that local connection gives us a big edge in building strong cases.
We’re familiar with how local courts operate and how to move cases efficiently through the system. We work closely with the Police Department in Carrollton and nearby communities like Farmers Branch, Lewisville, Irving, Coppell and Grapevine, which means we know how to request and interpret crash reports, traffic camera footage, and other crucial records. We also coordinate regularly with hospitals like Carrollton Regional, Baylor Scott and White Grapevine, Medical City Las Colinas and Methodist Dallas, making it easier to access medical documentation quickly and accurately.
Being nearby allows us to act fast. A Carrollton car accident lawyer at our firm can:
- Visit crash scenes before critical evidence disappears.
- Secure surveillance footage from nearby businesses.
- Speak with eyewitnesses while their memories are still clear.
This kind of immediacy and familiarity is something out-of-town firms simply can’t offer, and it can make all the difference in the outcome of your claim. View our case results and meet our experienced attorneys to learn more about how we can help.
Common Injuries in Distracted Driving Crashes
Victims of distracted driving accidents often suffer serious, life-altering injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
A sudden blow to the head can cause a concussion or more severe brain damage, sometimes permanently affecting memory, concentration, mood, and coordination. - Spinal cord damage and paralysis
Injuries to the spinal cord can lead to partial or full paralysis, requiring lifelong medical care, rehabilitation, and major changes to how a person lives and works. - Broken bones and fractures
Fractures can require surgery, immobilization, and months of physical therapy. In some cases, the bone may never heal completely or return to its previous function. - Internal organ damage
Blunt force trauma can injure organs like the lungs, liver, or kidneys, often requiring emergency surgery and posing life-threatening complications. - Burns and disfigurement
Explosions, fuel leaks, or fires during a crash can cause severe burns that lead to scarring, nerve damage, and the need for reconstructive surgeries. - Soft tissue injuries
Damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons — such as whiplash or torn rotator cuffs — can cause chronic pain, limited mobility, and long-term discomfort. - Permanent disabilities
Some injuries result in irreversible impairments that prevent victims from returning to work or performing basic daily tasks without assistance.
These injuries are not only physically and emotionally traumatic, but they can also lead to long-term financial strain from medical bills, lost income, and the need for ongoing care. That’s why documenting the full impact of your injuries is a critical part of any legal claim. It’s also why getting prompt legal guidance is essential.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Texting-Related Crash?
If you were hit by a distracted driver, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical expenses (current and future)
- Lost income and reduced earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Disability or physical impairments
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Negative effect on daily activities and loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship
- Long-term care and rehabilitation
- Property damage
- Punitive damages in rare cases of extreme negligence
Texas law does not place a cap on personal injury damages in most cases. That makes it especially important to have a team of professionals who can fully document every type of loss, so you don’t end up with less than you deserve.
Potential losses include economic damages like medical expenses and lost income, as well as non-economic damages such as pain, emotional distress, and the impact on your daily life. Personal losses are often the most difficult to measure and the most likely to be underestimated. A skilled legal team can work with medical experts, life care planners, and financial specialists to make sure the full scope of your injuries is clearly presented and supported by evidence.
How O’Hare & Koch Builds a Strong Injury Case Against Distracted Drivers
At O’Hare and Koch Law Firm, we use proven methods and trusted experts to support your claim from every angle. Here’s what we do to build an effective case on your behalf:
- Preserve and review phone records
- Obtain surveillance footage
- Use modern technology like drones and Lidar to document key details related to the crash
- Interview witnesses, including the person the driver may have been texting
- Collaborate with expert witnesses and accident reconstruction specialists
- Work with life care planners and medical professionals to assess the long-term impact of your injuries
- Analyze GPS data, black box data, and driver logs when applicable
- Subpoena maintenance records or evidence of DOT violations
Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule. If you’re found more than 50 percent at fault, you are barred from recovering compensation. Insurance companies use this rule to try to shift blame onto the injured person to avoid paying a full settlement. That’s why you need a legal team that knows how to secure crucial evidence early before it disappears or memories fade.
O’Hare and Koch Law Firm takes on the insurance companies directly, handling all communication and negotiations. We understand the tactics they use to pressure crash victims into accepting quick, low offers. Our job is to push back with facts, expert support, and a clear understanding of your damages. We’re here to fight for you and represent your best interests every step of the way.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Carrollton Texting and Distracted Driving Accident Attorney
If you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle crash in Carrollton and you suspect the other driver may have been texting or otherwise distracted, now is the time to take action. The longer you wait, the harder it can be to collect evidence, track down witnesses, or document the full extent of your injuries. Whether your crash happened on the President George Bush Turnpike, Marsh Lane, or elsewhere in the region, we’re ready to step in and help.
Contact our firm today to get started. Your consultation is free, and we work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t owe us anything until we win your case.