Top Causes of Distracted Driving Accidents in Laredo

When drivers lose focus on the road, the consequences can be swift and devastating, especially here in the Laredo, Texas region, where busy highways, traffic congestion, and mixed usage (commuters, commercial trucks, oil-field traffic) raise the stakes. At Anderson Alexander (A2X), our mission is simple: to provide expert legal counsel, passionately advocate for your rights, and ultimately deliver the justice you deserve. We also believe education is a vital part of prevention. That’s why we’re sharing information about the top causes of distracted driving accidents in Laredo, so you and your loved ones can avoid the mistakes others make and stay safer behind the wheel. If, however, you’ve already been injured in a collision caused by someone else’s distraction, you need the trusted, relentless advocacy of A2X on your side as soon as possible. Our team is ready to help, reach out today. 

 

Texting or Phone Use Behind the Wheel 

One of the most obvious, yet persistently deadly, forms of distracted driving is when a driver uses a cellphone while operating a vehicle. Whether it’s reading or sending a text, changing apps, or taking a call, these actions siphon away critical attention. According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), “research shows that regardless of whether you use a voice-to-text program, a hands-free device or a handheld one, the distraction will affect your driving.” Here in Texas in 2024, nearly one in five crashes were attributed to a distracted driver, resulting in 373 deaths and 2,587 serious injuries.  In particular: 

  • Texting while driving increases a driver’s time with their eyes off the road by a dramatic 400%.   
  • In Texas, texting or sending a message while driving has been illegal since September 1, 2017.   

 

Why is it so dangerous? 

  • Your eyes leave the road, your hands leave the wheel, and your mind leaves the driving task entirely. That leaves a fraction of a second for another vehicle or hazard to enter your path. 
  • At highway speeds, even a two-second glance away can mean the car travels the length of a football field without proper attention. 
  • Texting often occurs during high-demand periods. For example, when you are merging, braking, or checking your surroundings, the risk is much greater. 

 

What can go wrong: 

  • Rear-end collisions occurred when the driver didn’t notice the slowing traffic ahead. 
  • Lane departures, crossing into oncoming traffic, or off-road obstacles. 
  • Crashes involving pedestrians or bicyclists that the distracted driver didn’t perceive. 

 

For an individual in Laredo, especially on highways like I-35, Loop 20, or US-83, this risk is magnified by the volume of traffic, the presence of commercial vehicles, and mixed speed conditions. 

 

Eating, Drinking, or Handling Objects While Driving 

Many drivers don’t realize that the simple act of taking a drink, grabbing a snack, or reaching into the backseat is also a form of distraction, known commonly as “manual/motor” distraction. Eating or drinking behind the wheel is a common cause of distracted driving accidents.   

 

Why is it so dangerous? 

  • You might look away (visual distraction) while reaching or grabbing. 
  • One hand might leave the steering wheel (manual distraction). 
  • Your attention shifts mentally at the moment of interaction, reducing reaction time. 
  • These actions often occur during moments that call for quick judgment (e.g., a slight traffic slowdown), thereby increasing vulnerability. 

 

What can go wrong: 

  • The driver takes a sip and doesn’t react when traffic ahead comes to a stop, resulting in a rear-end collision. 
  • The driver drops a beverage, reflexively reaches for it, and swerves, hitting a vehicle or a barrier. 
  • In a mixed traffic zone (standard in Laredo), an unexpected vehicle change forces a reaction, but the driver’s hands or eyes are elsewhere. 
  • For someone working long hours or commuting in oil-field or commercial-vehicle traffic in Laredo, fatigue, plus a drink or snack behind the wheel, further increases the co-risk. 

 

Adjusting GPS, Music, Radio, or Other In-Vehicle Systems 

Modern vehicles make it easy to stay connected. Still, that convenience comes at a cost when the driver interacts with infotainment systems, GPS, radio dials, or other controls while still moving. These lead to “cognitive,” “manual,” and “visual” distractions. Adjusting vehicle controls (radio or GPS) leading to a failure to yield is a listed cause of distracted driving in Texas.   

   

Why is it so dangerous? 

  • The driver is preoccupied with planning or navigating rather than scanning the road. 
  • Eyes may shift to the screen or console rather than forward. 
  • Hands may leave the wheel momentarily. 
  • In fast-moving or merging traffic (common in Laredo), the window for correction is narrow. 

   

What can go wrong: 

  • A driver reaches to change a song and fails to perceive a sudden brake ahead, causing a chain-reaction crash. 
  • The driver glances at the GPS while entering the highway, misses a merging vehicle, and sideswipes it. 
  • Nighttime or early-morning oil-field traffic adds glare and fatigue, magnifying the risk of distraction. 

   

Talking to Passengers or Being Emotionally Distracted 

Distractions don’t always involve phones or devices. Having a heated conversation with a passenger, looking back to calm children, or being emotionally upset or fatigued can all reduce the driver’s capacity to respond. In Laredo traffic, with its mix of commuters, commercial drivers, and oil-field traffic, the margin for error is small. The “passenger or conversation” distraction category is listed in Texas distracted-driving analyses.   

   

Why is it so dangerous? 

  • Your attention may shift from driving tasks (scanning, judgement, steering) to conversation or emotion. 
  • You may not notice when traffic flow changes or a hazard appears. 
  • Distraction may reduce safe following distance or blur hazard recognition. 

   

What can go wrong: 

  • The driver laughs at a backseat remark, their head tilts back, and they don’t brake in time when traffic ahead stops. 
  • The driver engages in an upset phone call (hands-free or otherwise) and drifts out of the lane, hitting another vehicle or object. 
  • Late-night oil-field workers coming off shift may be emotionally or physically tired. The combination of fatigue and conversation increases the risk of crashes. 

   

Driving While Tired, Drowsy, or Emotionally Distressed 

While not always classified under “distracted driving,” driving when tired, drowsy, or emotionally unstable poses similar risks of attention loss. For example, looking away momentarily, nodding off, or failing to monitor the roadway are significant hazards. In Texas, the stats from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show fatalities from distracted driving remain high and rising, partly because these less-obvious distractions still degrade driver performance.   

   

Why is it so dangerous? 

  • Slower reaction times, longer braking distances. 
  • Microsleeps or lapses of attention. 
  • Reduced ability to make rapid decisions or respond to sudden change. 
  • When combined with other distractions (such as a phone or passengers), the risk multiplies. 

   

What can go wrong: 

  • The driver leaves an oil-field site after a long shift, nods off at the wheel, drifts, and collides with another vehicle. 
  • The driver is emotionally distressed (due to an argument or personal stress) and fails to brake when needed. 
  • A drowsy driver merges into busy Laredo traffic and cannot adjust to changing traffic patterns. 

   

Why Distracted Driving Accidents Are Especially Dangerous 

  • No delay time: Distracted driving often gives zero warning. A driver’s eyes may leave the road for one or two seconds, and by then the crash is already inevitable. 
  • Speed + shifting traffic in Laredo: On highways like I-35 or US-83, speeds are high, traffic is mixed, and reaction windows are small. A distracted moment can lead to high-impact collisions. 
  • Truck and oil-field traffic: Laredo’s geography and economy mean heavy trucks, commercial vehicles, and vehicles working in or around oil-field zones share the road. A distracted driver in that mix is even more dangerous. 
  • Preventability: Every one of these crashes is, by definition, preventable if the driver had kept attention, hadn’t engaged in the distraction, or had maintained a safe following distance. 

 

Understanding the Compensation Available After a Distracted Driving Accident 

After a distracted driving accident in Laredo, victims are often left facing overwhelming physical, emotional, and financial burdens. Medical bills begin to stack up almost immediately, time away from work leads to lost income, and the stress of recovery can feel endless. At A2X, we understand that no amount of money can undo the pain or disruption caused by someone else’s negligence, but fair compensation can help you rebuild your life and secure the resources you need to move forward. 

 

Economic Damages: The Financial Cost of Recovery 

Economic damages are designed to compensate you for the tangible, measurable financial losses caused by your accident. These may include: 

   

  • Medical Expenses: The costs of emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgeries, physical therapy, prescription medications, and long-term rehabilitation can quickly escalate after a serious crash. Even a moderate injury may require months of follow-up care and specialized treatment. 
  • Lost Wages and Future Earning Capacity: If your injuries keep you from returning to work (temporarily or permanently), you may be entitled to recover the income you’ve lost, as well as the potential earnings you will lose in the future. In severe cases involving permanent disability or diminished capacity, A2X works closely with vocational and economic experts to calculate the actual value of what’s been taken from you. 
  • Property Damage: Vehicle repairs or replacement, as well as any personal property damaged in the collision, may also be recoverable. 
  • Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Costs such as travel to medical appointments, home or vehicle modifications, and in-home care are often overlooked but can add up quickly. 

   

Non-Economic Damages: The Human Impact 

Beyond the bills and receipts, an accident can take an enormous emotional and psychological toll. Texas law allows victims to pursue compensation for these non-economic losses, which represent the personal suffering caused by another driver’s carelessness. 

   

  • Pain and Suffering: This includes the physical pain and discomfort you experience during and after the crash, as well as any ongoing or chronic pain. 
  • Emotional Distress and Mental Anguish: Many victims of distracted driving accidents experience anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or fear of driving. These are real injuries that deserve recognition and compensation. 
  • Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Serious injuries can prevent you from doing the things you once loved, whether it’s hobbies, sports, travel, or simply spending time with your family. 
  • Loss of Consortium: In cases where injuries disrupt your relationship with a spouse or partner, additional compensation may be available to address that loss of companionship and support. 

   

At A2X, we make sure the full scope of your suffering is documented and presented clearly. Insurance companies often try to minimize or deny these intangible damages, but our attorneys know how to quantify and defend their value in negotiations or at trial. 

   

Every Case Is Unique, and So Is Your Recovery 

The amount and type of compensation available after a distracted driving accident vary widely depending on the facts of the case, including the severity of your injuries, the insurance policies involved, and the extent of the driver’s negligence. That’s why it’s crucial to have a law firm like A2X on your side. We analyze every aspect of your case, identify every potential source of recovery, and ensure that nothing is overlooked. 

   

How A2X Can Help You After a Distracted Driving Accident 

If you or someone you love has been injured in a crash caused by another driver’s distraction, having the right legal team on your side can make all the difference. Distracted driving cases are complex because proving that a driver’s attention was diverted often requires detailed investigation, specialized evidence, and a deep understanding of Texas law. Our firm brings together experience, compassion, and determination to help clients pursue the justice they deserve after devastating collisions. 

   

Expert Legal Counsel That Makes a Difference 

At A2X, our attorneys understand how to uncover the truth behind a distracted driving crash. We go beyond the surface details of the police report, using every tool available to determine what really happened. This often involves examining phone records, vehicle data, dash-cam footage, and eyewitness accounts to show when and how the driver’s attention left the road. In cases involving commercial or company vehicles, our team investigates whether employers followed proper safety policies and whether negligence contributed to distracted driving. 

   

Our deep knowledge of Texas traffic laws and civil litigation gives our clients a clear advantage. We know how to interpret evidence, connect the dots, and hold negligent drivers (and the parties behind them) accountable. 

   

Compassionate Advocacy for Those Who Need It Most 

After a distracted driving accident, victims are often left with severe injuries, mounting medical bills, and emotional trauma that can linger for years. From the moment you contact us, our team treats you with respect, empathy, and care. We understand that you are a person who deserves to be heard, supported, and guided through one of the most difficult times in your life. Our attorneys take the time to explain each step of the legal process, answer your questions, and ensure that you feel informed and empowered. We believe that compassion and communication are just as important as legal strategy when helping injury victims rebuild their lives. 

   

Relentless Pursuit of Justice 

A2X is known for its tenacity. We don’t simply accept the first answer or the easiest route. We always dig deep, push harder, and stand firm against those who try to minimize responsibility. Our goal is always to secure full and fair results for our clients, whether through negotiation or in the courtroom. 

   

In distracted driving cases, proving negligence can involve fighting large insurance companies, corporate employers, or defense attorneys determined to deflect blame. We are not intimidated by these challenges. Our team prepares every case as if it will go to trial, ensuring that we are ready to present the strongest possible argument for our clients at every stage. 

   

Local Strength with Nationwide Reach 

Although A2X serves clients nationwide, we are deeply familiar with the challenges unique to Laredo and South Texas. The mix of commuter, commercial, and oil-field traffic creates a roadway environment where distraction can be especially deadly. Our attorneys know the local roads, the regional industries, and the dynamics that often lead to catastrophic accidents. When you work with A2X, you get the benefit of a team that understands both the local conditions and the broader complexities of multi-state injury litigation. We bring that full scope of experience to every case we handle, ensuring that our clients receive the highest level of representation. 

   

The Importance of Acting Quickly

Time is a critical factor after a distracted driving accident. Evidence can be lost, damaged, or erased. Phone data can be deleted, vehicles repaired, and witnesses’ memories fade. The sooner A2X is involved, the stronger your case can be. We immediately move to preserve key evidence, contact witnesses, and begin reconstructing the events leading to the crash. 

   

Acting quickly not only helps protect your legal rights but also allows our team to build a complete and accurate picture of what happened. When we have the evidence, resources, and time to work effectively, we can pursue justice with the intensity and precision our clients deserve. 

   

What A2X Will Do for You

From the moment you reach out, A2X begins building your case. Our attorneys and investigative team conduct a thorough examination of the crash scene, review all available data, and identify every potentially liable party. We coordinate with medical experts to evaluate the full extent of your injuries, including long-term effects that might impact your ability to work or enjoy life as you did before the accident. We also handle the insurance and legal processes on your behalf. Insurers often try to pressure victims into accepting low settlements or admitting fault. A2X stands between you and these tactics, protecting your rights and ensuring that every communication, document, and negotiation is handled with care and precision. 

   

Our ultimate goal is not just to reach a settlement, but to secure an outcome that genuinely reflects the harm you’ve suffered and supports your recovery for years to come. Whether that means pursuing litigation in court or negotiating from a position of strength, A2X is prepared to fight until justice is achieved. Reach out to Anderson Alexander (A2X) today, and let us help you take your next step toward justice and recovery.