Every day in Ohio, more than two dozen distracted driving accidents are logged by law enforcement. Most won’t make the news. Some are minor. Others change lives instantly. And over the last four years, 168 of those crashes ended in death.
That figure is part of a much larger — and growing — problem. Between 2021 and 2024, nearly 40,000 distracted driving crashes occurred on Ohio roads. April, recognized as National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, serves as a timely reminder that the danger is not limited to late-night highways or reckless teens. Distraction can happen to anyone, anywhere — and the consequences often extend far beyond the crash site.
If you were injured or lost a loved one in a crash involving an inattentive driver, an experienced Ohio distracted driving accident lawyer can help you hold the negligent driver accountable and pursue the justice you deserve. At Merriman Legal, LLC, our Cleveland attorneys understand the toll these accidents take—and we’re here to help you fight back.
What’s Behind the Numbers
Distraction behind the wheel doesn’t happen in a vacuum — it’s driven by habits, technology, and false confidence. While phone use gets most of the attention, it’s just one part of a broader problem. The following factors frequently show up in crash reports and civil claims involving driver inattention:
- Overconfidence in Multitasking: Many drivers believe they can handle “just a quick glance” or manage multiple tasks while driving, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
- Interface Overload: Modern vehicles are packed with touchscreens, notifications, and app integrations that demand cognitive attention even when hands stay on the wheel.
- Commuter Complacency: Long, familiar routes — especially during daily commutes — can lead to mental drift and inattentiveness during critical moments.
- Interior Distractions: Children, pets, or even loose objects inside the vehicle can cause split-second shifts in focus that end in collisions.
- Social Pressure: Responding to texts, calls, or alerts right away has become ingrained behavior for many, even when they’re driving.
- Young Drivers: Teenagers and drivers under 25 have higher rates of phone use while driving
- Highway Traffic: Long, straight stretches of road can lull drivers into complacency
- Stop-And-Go Congestion: Glancing at a screen during a slow crawl may seem harmless, but it often leads to rear-end crashes
These aren’t just bad habits — they’re decision points that increase crash risk and liability. In legal terms, distraction often amounts to negligence, and proving its role can be essential in holding the at-fault driver accountable.
Why Distraction Is So Dangerous
What makes distracted driving so deadly is that it combines three forms of impairment:
- Visual Distraction: Taking your eyes off the road.
- Manual Distraction: Taking your hands off the wheel.
- Cognitive Distraction: Taking your focus off driving.
When all three occur at once — as they often do when using a phone — the risk of crashing increases dramatically. According to the National Safety Council, using a cell phone while driving makes a crash four times more likely, even when using hands-free devices.
The Legal Implications of Distracted Driving
Ohio law prohibits texting while driving, and it has recently been designated a primary offense, meaning law enforcement can stop and cite drivers for texting alone. Additional penalties apply when a distracted driver causes a crash, particularly if injuries or fatalities occur.
But the law doesn’t stop at traffic citations. When someone is seriously hurt or killed due to distracted driving, the at-fault driver can also be held civilly liable. That means injured victims — and in fatal cases, surviving family members — have the right to seek compensation for:
- Medical bills and future care.
- Lost income and reduced earning potential.
- Pain, suffering, and emotional trauma.
- Funeral expenses and wrongful death damages.
Common injuries in distracted driving crashes include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Broken bones and fractures
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Whiplash and soft tissue injuries
- Psychological trauma, such as PTSD
Proving distraction is often a critical part of these claims. Phone records, witness statements, surveillance footage, and vehicle data can all serve as evidence. But this evidence can be lost quickly if action isn’t taken early. A distracted driving accident lawyer can act quickly to preserve phone records, subpoena traffic cam footage, and consult crash reconstruction experts to help establish what really happened.
Contact a distracted driving accident lawyer today
Distracted driving deaths in Ohio are not just accidents — they’re avoidable tragedies caused by negligent decisions. Every message checked behind the wheel, every notification that pulls attention from the road, can have permanent consequences.
For those dealing with the aftermath of a distracted driving crash, timing matters. Ohio law limits how long victims and families have to take legal action. And the sooner an investigation begins, the stronger the chances of recovering the evidence needed to build a strong case.
Merriman Legal, LLC offers free consultations for those seriously hurt in Ohio car accidents. Whether it’s gathering evidence, negotiating with insurance companies, or pursuing a lawsuit, experienced legal guidance can make a meaningful difference.
Don’t let a distracted driver’s recklessness go unanswered — talk to a legal team that knows how to fight back. Contact us today for a free consultation. During Distracted Driving Awareness Month, let your first step toward justice be talking to a lawyer who knows how to hold distracted drivers accountable.
"Merriman Legal, LLC went above and beyond my expectations. Every member of the staff is extremely professional, and I am so happy I chose them for my case. I would recommend Merriman Legal to anyone in need of legal counsel. They are very transparent, punctual, and knowledgeable. I have only positive things to say about this firm! Ladi Williams worked on my case and did a fantastic job." - Michael W., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
