Last Updated September 19, 2026
Short answer
NHTSA treats distracted driving as anything that pulls attention off driving — a phone, food, a passenger, the stereo, a screen. A texting ticket can help a civil claim. The claim still has to show negligence, causation, and damages.
You saw the other driver looking down. Or you did not, and only found out later from a witness. NHTSA’s distracted-driving page is the federal safety overview. It is not a verdict. Phone records and the crash report sometimes close the gap. Sometimes they do not.
What NHTSA is actually saying
NHTSA’s definition is plain: if it takes your mind or your eyes or your hands off driving, it is a distraction. Their fatality counts change year to year. We link the agency page instead of treating last year’s number as your case. A civil file still needs the crash, the injury, and a duty that was broken.
Alabama and Georgia phone rules
How a claim often moves
- 1
Get checked, even if you feel more shaken than hurt.
- 2
Tell your own insurer what the policy requires. Be careful with a recorded statement to the other company.
- 3
Keep bills, mileage, and notes about missed work.
- 4
Talk with an attorney before you guess about fault or sign a broad release.
How Brock & Stout can help
We look for the phone, the witnesses, and the report language that shows the other driver was not watching the road. Call or request a free consultation. We cannot promise a particular result.
Frequently asked questions
Personal injury claims are subject to filing deadlines, and the deadline that applies can depend on the facts of the case. Different notice requirements may apply depending on who is involved. Do not use this website to calculate a filing deadline. Speak with an attorney promptly.
Related resources
- Car Accident Injury Claims — Car Accident Injury Claims
If another driver’s negligence caused a crash, you may have a claim against that driver and available insurance. Your own policy can also matter, including uninsured motorist coverage. This page does not calculate a filing deadline or a settlement value.
- Evidence in Injury Claims — Evidence in Injury Claims
Evidence is how you show what happened and how you were hurt. Photos, reports, medical records, and witnesses are the usual core. Some evidence, like store video, is overwritten on a short cycle. Ask for it promptly.
- Pedestrian Accidents — Pedestrian Accidents
A pedestrian crash is a motor vehicle hitting a person on foot. Crosswalks, turning cars, and drivers who never looked help explain many of them. Being in a crosswalk is not a finished legal case. Being outside one is not an automatic loss.
- Rear-End Accidents — Rear-End Accidents
A rear-end crash is one vehicle hitting the back of another. People assume the trailing driver is always at fault. That is often the starting point, not a finished answer. Brake lights, following distance, a sudden stop, and a third vehicle can all show up in the file.
Injured and not sure what to do next?
Call now or request a free case evaluation. We can review what happened and explain options. We cannot promise a particular result.
This page is general educational information about personal injury claims as of the date shown. It is not legal advice, does not create an attorney-client relationship, and does not guarantee a result. Facts, insurance coverage, and state law vary. Do not use this website to calculate a filing deadline. Personal Injury Knowledge Center
