Texting and driving has become one of the most dangerous forms of distracted driving on Missouri roads. Each year, thousands of crashes occur because a driver decides to look at a phone instead of the road, and the consequences can be life-changing. At The S.E. Farris Law Firm, we regularly represent individuals and families whose lives were turned upside down by distracted drivers, and we know how devastating these collisions can be.

If you or a loved one has been injured because another driver was texting, you may be entitled to compensation. This page explains why texting-and-driving crashes are so serious, how liability works, and what steps you should take to protect your injury claim.

 

Why Texting While Driving Is So Dangerous

Texting takes a driver’s focus away from the road in three critical ways:

  1. Visual distraction:

Eyes leave the road, often for several seconds, long enough to travel a football field at highway speeds.

  1. Manual distraction:

Hands leave the wheel to hold or operate the phone.

  1. Cognitive distraction:

The driver is thinking about the message instead of the driving conditions.

Because of this combination, texting drivers frequently cause:

  • Rear-end collisions
  • High-speed impact crashes
  • Intersection accidents
  • Failure-to-yield crashes
  • Pedestrian and cyclist injuries

Many of these collisions happen with no braking at all, leaving victims with severe or catastrophic injuries.

 

Missouri’s Texting and Driving Laws

Missouri recently strengthened its laws on cell phone use behind the wheel, but many drivers still ignore them. Under Missouri law:

  • Drivers are prohibited from manually texting, emailing, or messaging while driving.
  • Hands-free use is allowed for adults, but drivers are still responsible for maintaining control of their vehicle.
  • Commercial drivers are strictly prohibited from holding or using phones while driving.

Even when a behavior isn’t explicitly illegal, a distracted driver can still be held liable if their inattention caused a crash.

 

Signs a Driver Was Texting Before the Crash

Texting and driving often leaves behind specific warning signs, including:

  • No skid marks or braking
  • The driver admitting they were distracted
  • A phone still in the driver’s hand or lap
  • Social media or messages with timestamps around the impact
  • Witnesses observing the driver looking down
  • Sudden lane drifting or swerving

When we investigate distracted driving cases, our firm frequently works with experts, obtains phone records, and analyzes electronic vehicle data to determine exactly what the driver was doing before the collision.

 

Common Injuries in Texting-and-Driving Crashes

Because distracted drivers rarely slow down, victims may suffer:

  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Neck and spinal cord injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Severe whiplash
  • Internal injuries
  • Facial trauma from airbags or impact
  • Wrongful death

These injuries often require long-term medical care, rehabilitation, or life adjustments. Early legal representation can help protect your right to full compensation.

How Liability Works in a Texting-and-Driving Accident

If the other driver was texting at the time of the crash, they can be held responsible for damages such as:

  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Permanent disability
  • Reduced earning capacity
  • Vehicle damage
  • Wrongful death damages (for surviving families)

Even if police do not cite the driver for texting, your claim can still succeed. Civil cases use different standards of proof than criminal or traffic citations.

What You Should Do After a Texting-and-Driving Crash

If you believe the other driver was texting, taking these steps can help protect your case:

  1. Call 911 and report the accident.
  2. Document the scene, photos of vehicles, injuries, and road conditions.
  3. Look for witnesses who saw the driver texting.
  4. Tell the responding officer if you noticed any signs of distraction.
  5. Seek medical treatment immediately.
  6. Contact an attorney before speaking to insurance adjusters.

Insurance companies often try to downplay distraction or shift blame. Working with an experienced attorney ensures your side of the story is fully represented.

Using Real-World Crashes as Evidence

Throughout Missouri, numerous high-profile cases have highlighted how quickly lives can be changed by one distracted moment. While every case is unique, these real incidents demonstrate a common truth: texting and driving is preventable, and when someone chooses to do it anyway, they must be held accountable.

At The S.E. Farris Law Firm, we use examples from real crashes to help juries, adjusters, and judges understand just how dangerous and negligent texting and driving truly is.

Why Choose The S.E. Farris Law Firm After a Texting-and-Driving Accident?

Our firm has extensive experience handling distracted driving injury claims throughout Missouri. We know what evidence matters, how to prove the at-fault driver was texting, and how to fight back when insurance companies deny or minimize claims.

We provide:

  • Thorough investigation into the cause of the crash
  • Access to phone records and expert analysis
  • Strong negotiation with insurance companies
  • Skilled courtroom representation when needed

You deserve answers, accountability, and compensation, and our team is ready to fight for you.

Speak With a Missouri Texting-and-Driving Accident Lawyer

If you were injured because another driver was texting, you do not have to navigate the aftermath alone. Contact The S.E. Farris Law Firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation. We can review your case, explain your legal options, and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.