Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of preventable crashes in the U.S. If you were hit by a distracted driver in Allentown or anywhere in the Lehigh Valley, you shouldn’t have to bear the cost. An Allentown distracted driving attorney at Munley Law can represent you in pursuing the compensation you deserve from negligent drivers who choose to prioritize their devices over road safety.
Contact Munley Law today to schedule your free consultation with an Allentown car crash lawyer. We offer in-person as well as virtual appointments. The consultation is your opportunity to tell your story, get answers to your questions, and plan how to obtain the financial compensation you need from distracted drivers. Call, email, or chat live with us today to get started.
What is Considered Distracted Driving in Allentown, PA?
Distracted driving encompasses any activity that diverts a driver’s attention from the primary task of operating their vehicle safely. Pennsylvania law recognizes three categories of distraction, each creating dangerous conditions that our distracted driving attorneys regularly encounter in Allentown courts.
Visual distractions occur when drivers take their eyes off the road. Texting while driving represents the most dangerous form, as drivers can travel the length of a football field while reading or sending a single text message. Other visual distractions include checking social media feeds, watching videos, or looking at navigation screens for extended periods.
Manual distractions involve removing hands from the steering wheel. Beyond texting, this includes eating elaborate meals, grooming activities like applying makeup or shaving, reaching for objects in the vehicle, or adjusting complex entertainment systems. These behaviors compromise a driver’s ability to control the vehicle during emergencies.
Cognitive distractions occur when drivers’ minds wander from driving tasks. Intense conversations with passengers, hands-free phone calls that require mental focus, or emotional distress can create cognitive overload. While hands-free devices are legal, research shows they still create significant mental distractions that impair driving performance.
The most dangerous distracted driving behaviors combine all three types. Texting while driving simultaneously takes eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, and mind off driving, creating a perfect storm of negligence that frequently results in serious crashes.
Allentown’s Distracted Driving Laws and Penalties
Allentown has implemented specific ordinances targeting distracted driving behaviors. The city prohibits drivers from using Interactive Wireless Communication Devices (IWCD) to send, read, or write text-based communications while their vehicle is in motion. Violating this ordinance results in a summary offense with a $50 fine plus court costs and additional fees.
Pennsylvania state law provides broader protections through general vehicle operation requirements. Drivers must maintain reasonable control of their vehicles and exercise due care to avoid endangering others. When distracted driving behaviors cause crashes, these laws create the foundation for holding negligent drivers financially accountable.
Our distracted driving attorneys understand how to leverage local ordinances and state vehicle codes to build compelling cases against distracted drivers. The existence of specific anti-texting laws often simplifies proving liability when phone records demonstrate violations at the time of crashes.
Proving Distracted Driving in Pennsylvania Courts
Successfully proving distracted driving requires specialized knowledge of digital evidence and modern investigation techniques. Our approach focuses on obtaining concrete proof of distraction rather than relying solely on witness testimony or driver admissions.
Cell phone records provide the most powerful evidence in distracted driving cases. We work with telecommunications experts to obtain detailed call logs, text message timestamps, and data usage records that pinpoint exactly when drivers were using their devices. These records often reveal patterns of distracted behavior leading up to crashes.
Modern vehicles contain event data recorders that capture crucial information about driving behavior in the moments before impact. This technology can reveal sudden steering inputs, braking patterns, or a lack of evasive action consistent with distracted driving. Combined with phone records, this data creates compelling evidence of negligence.
Traffic camera footage and dashboard cameras from other vehicles increasingly capture distracted driving behavior. We systematically investigate available video evidence to document drivers looking down at devices, holding phones to their ears, or exhibiting other distracted behaviors immediately before crashes.
Social media evidence sometimes provides additional proof of distracted driving habits. Posts about texting while driving, photos taken from driver’s seats, or location data showing device usage while traveling can support distracted driving claims.
Insurance companies frequently dispute distracted driving allegations, arguing that device usage occurred before or after crashes rather than during critical moments. Our investigation methods counter these tactics by establishing precise timelines demonstrating distraction during the collision sequence.
Unique Damages in Distracted Driving Cases
Distracted driving crashes often involve unique circumstances that affect compensation calculations. Unlike mechanical failures or weather-related incidents, distracted driving represents a conscious choice to engage in dangerous behavior, potentially supporting enhanced damage awards.
The preventable nature of distracted driving crashes frequently causes additional emotional trauma for victims. Knowing that serious injuries resulted from someone’s decision to text or check social media rather than focus on driving creates distinct psychological impacts that warrant separate compensation consideration.
Distracted driving cases often involve younger drivers with limited insurance coverage or financial resources. Our attorneys understand how to navigate these challenges, exploring all available insurance sources and pursuing creative solutions to ensure adequate compensation despite policy limitations.
The technology aspect of distracted driving cases sometimes creates ongoing digital evidence demonstrating dangerous behavior patterns. Repeated violations or social media posts glorifying distracted driving can support arguments for enhanced damages reflecting the defendant’s disregard for public safety.
Why Choose Munley Law for Distracted Driving Cases
Munley Law specializes in the complex digital evidence and technology investigation required for modern distracted driving cases. Our attorneys maintain relationships with digital forensics experts, telecommunications specialists, and accident reconstruction professionals who understand how to obtain and analyze phone records, social media data, and vehicle technology evidence that proves distraction in Pennsylvania courts.
If you were injured by a distracted driver in Allentown, don’t delay. Contact Munley Law today to schedule a free consultation with our specialized distracted driving attorneys. We will evaluate your case and explain how we can help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
Reviewed by Bernadine Munley, Esq., Personal Injury Attorney at Munley Law, on May 28, 2025.
