Annapolis Attorneys Holding Distracted Drivers Accountable

Last updated on January 21, 2026

If you have been hurt in an accident caused by a distracted driver, talk with an experienced lawyer from our firm. At the Law Offices of Joel L. Katz, LLC, our lawyers have more than 125 years of combined legal experience handling distracted driver accidents and other auto accident claims. From our home office in Annapolis, we represent clients throughout Maryland. Through our strategic, aggressive litigation approach, we have won millions for our clients, and we are prepared to help you obtain the compensation you deserve. Driving requires significant focus. Because Americans spend so much time driving, we can forget how dangerous automobiles are. Many people also use that car time to catch up on emails or texts or watch videos on their smartphones while driving. However, texting while driving and other forms of distracted driving cause many easily avoidable accidents. According to the Maryland Department of Transportation, 185 people die each year in distracted driving crashes, and more than 27,000 others are injured.

Many Ways To Drive While Distracted

Smartphones are the most obvious culprits in distracted-driving accidents. But what exactly are the main types of distraction? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), driving distractions can involve visual, manual or cognitive activities. Visual distraction takes a driver’s eyes off the road. Manual distraction involves the hands, feet or other parts of the body needed for driving. Cognitive distraction removes a driver’s mental concentration from the act of driving. Some of the different ways to be distracted while driving, which involve any of the three types, include:

• Eating or drinking
• Changing radio stations
• Talking to passengers
• Putting on makeup or brushing hair
• Paying attention to something in the distance or at the side of the road
• Trying to find something that has fallen on the floor of the vehicle

Smartphone use while driving is particularly hazardous because it involves all three types of distraction. Many drivers can’t resist talking on their cellphone, texting or emailing, watching videos or even surfing the web. All these actions require the use of their eyes, hands and mental concentration.

How Do We Hold Distracted Drivers Accountable?

Maryland has strict distracted driving laws. Whether a driver is texting, checking emails, using headphones or earbuds, or even merely holding their phone for any reason while behind the wheel, it is illegal (and dangerous!). When a driver is traveling on the freeway and takes his or her eyes off the road for just a few seconds, it is like driving the length of a football field with a blindfold on. If a pedestrian or other vehicle crosses the driver’s path during that time, or if the driver drifts off the road or into another lane, the consequences can be devastating. A driver who takes his or her eyes off the road for even a few seconds may cause an accident that has lifelong repercussions. While a distracted driver will have to answer to the law, injured victims and their families may continue to suffer long after the accident is over. Our Annapolis firm aggressively advocates for injury victims and ensures they have the resources they need to recover from economic and noneconomic losses. Our skilled attorneys hold distracted drivers accountable by proving negligence. They gather evidence such as cellphone records, witness statements, and video footage to show that the driver breached their duty of care. By working with experts to prove that the distraction directly caused the accident, they demand compensation for the victim’s medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering through a civil claim.

Let Us Fight On Your Behalf. Contact Us Today.

Being in a car accident can be overwhelming. Depending on who is at fault, an insurance company may offer you a settlement or resolution of your personal injury protection (PIP), property damage, etc.. Still, chances are it will not be enough to fully cover all of your expenses. Vehicle damage, medical bills and lost wages are just some of the financial considerations you may be facing. In addition, you may be entitled to compensation for the pain and suffering the accident caused. The skilled and aggressive attorneys at the Law Offices of Joel L. Katz, LLC, have your best interests in mind and will work diligently to investigate all the facts surrounding your accident and aggressively negotiate with insurance companies to ensure that you are compensated fairly for your injuries. Contact us by calling 410-973-3848 or fill out our online form, and we’ll contact you to schedule a free consultation.