Metairie Distracted Driver Accident ATtorNEY

You Shouldn’t Have to Pay for the Negligence of Another Driver

In our on-demand world, many people have become addicted to staying connected. The proliferation of smartphones brought a serious safety issue with it: a dramatic increase in distracted driving injury crashes.

Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents in Metairie and throughout Louisiana. From texting and scrolling to eating or adjusting the radio, even a few seconds of inattention can change lives forever.



When a distracted driver causes an accident, the victims are often left facing medical bills, lost income, and long-term recovery challenges. Car accident lawyer Donald D’Aunoy Jr. represents victims of distracted driving throughout Metairie, helping them pursue the compensation they deserve after serious accidents.

What Counts as a Distracted Driving Accident?

Distracted driving refers to any activity that takes a driver’s attention away from operating a vehicle safely. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) divides distraction into three main categories:

• Visual distractions take the driver’s eyes off the road. This includes texting, looking at a GPS or checking a rear-seat passenger.
• Manual distractions involve taking hands off the wheel, such as eating, applying makeup or reaching for an object.
• Cognitive distractions occur when the driver’s mind drifts away from driving, such as daydreaming or becoming preoccupied with a conversation.

Smartphones are one of the biggest contributors to distracted driving accidents in Louisiana. Even a brief glance at a text can take a driver’s eyes off the road for five seconds, which is long enough to travel the length of a football field at highway speed.

Common Causes of Distracted Driving Accidents in Metairie

Metairie’s busy intersections, heavy commuter traffic, and mix of commercial and residential areas make it particularly vulnerable to distracted driving incidents. Some of the most common causes include:

• Texting and social media use: Reading or typing messages while driving divides attention and slows reaction time.
• Navigation systems: Checking a map app or entering an address can cause missed turns, panicked efforts to get into the proper lane, or collisions at intersections.
• Eating or drinking: Quick meals behind the wheel can lead to spills, sudden swerves, and delayed braking.
• Passengers or children: Reaching into the back seat or turning to speak to someone can easily cause a driver to miss what is happening ahead.
• Adjusting controls: Changing the radio, climate settings, or connecting Bluetooth devices often results in temporary distraction.

In many cases, distracted driving accidents involve a combination of these behaviors, amplifying the risk of injury.