A Philadelphia texting while driving accident lawyer at Munley Law can help you receive the justice and compensation you deserve if you’re injured due to a driver distracted by their phone. With more than 250 years of combined legal experience, protecting the rights of Pennsylvania’s injured is what we do best.
Over almost seven decades, we’ve obtained multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts on behalf of clients, and we’re willing and able to pursue justice on your behalf. Recognizing our work for clients who’ve been rear-ended by distracted drivers on the Schuylkill Expressway or pedestrians who were hit on the crosswalk in Center City, numerous organizations have presented us with various accolades. Our car accident lawyers have been honored by the American Association for Justice, Lawdragon, Irish Legal 100, Lawyers of Distinction, Super Lawyers, Best Law Firms, Martindale-Hubbell, and others.
Call or contact us online today to schedule a free consultation with a Philadelphia texting and driving accident attorney at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys. We will answer your questions and explain your legal options so you can decide what to do next. There is no charge for this meeting, and we do not get paid unless we win your case.
Call Us At 844-686-5397 How Distracting is Texting While Driving?
There are multiple types of distraction: manual, visual, and cognitive. Texting while driving encompasses all three; it takes your hand off the wheel, your eyes off the road, and your mind off the task at hand. There’s little wonder that hundreds of thousands of injuries result from this behavior each year. Many of those injuries prove fatal.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), distracted driving contributed to 9,687 accidents, of which 43 were fatal, in 2024. The department did not specify how many of these crashes involved texting while driving. The National Safety Council reported that, nationwide, 3,275 people died in distraction-affected accidents in 2023. Drawing on a survey based on driver observations, the council reported that the percentage of drivers manipulating hand-held electronic devices for purposes such as text messaging increased by 36%, from 2.2% to 3%, between 2014 and 2023. With figures like these, it’s reasonable to assume that some of the distracted driving accidents in Pennsylvania in 2024 were caused by texting while driving.
The law takes texting while driving very seriously. If caught, first-time offenders in Pennsylvania may receive a $50 fine, while repeat offenders may be fined $100 per subsequent offense. Federal law prohibits commercial drivers from using a cell phone while operating a commercial vehicle. If commercial drivers are caught texting while driving, they will receive a $2,750 fine.
Texting while driving is no joke. If your life has been negatively impacted by a driver who was typing or reading a text message while driving, contact Munley Law. Our Philadelphia texting while driving lawyer will assess your case and advise you on your legal options.
What Damages Can You Recover in a Texting and Driving Accident Case?
Do I need a lawyer? What is the purpose of a personal injury lawsuit? How much money will I get in a car accident case? These are some of the most common questions people have after being injured in a car crash caused by a negligent driver. The fact is that you are likely to face substantial costs and financial losses after a serious accident. The purpose of hiring a Philadelphia car accident attorney to file a lawsuit on your behalf is to recover the damages you have suffered.
Damages in a texting and driving car accident case can include economic and non-economic losses. Economic damages include things like your:
- Hospital bills
- Medications
- Surgeries
- Other treatments
- Lost wages due to time missed from work
- Reduced or lost earning power due to a disability that resulted from the crash
Non-economic damages consist of mental anguish, pain and suffering, and lost quality of life.
The damages you receive will depend on the severity of your injuries, your average income, and other factors specific to you. Our Philadelphia texting while driving accident lawyer will work with medical and financial experts to calculate how much compensation you deserve and will fight to ensure you receive the maximum amount you are owed.
“Munley Law is far more than just a law firm. We’re a family of attorneys who truly understand the meaning of family and bring deep compassion to every client we serve.”
J. Christopher Munley
How Much Time Do You Have to File a Texting While Driving Accident Claim?
If you’re injured in an accident caused by a driver who is texting while driving, it’s important that you seek legal advice as soon as possible. In Pennsylvania, you do not have an indefinite amount of time in which to file a texting while driving accident claim.
Under 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 5524 (2), you have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim. If you fail to file your claim within this period, you might lose your right to pursue compensation. Contact our Philadelphia texting while driving lawyer as soon as you can to ensure your case is filed before the deadline, improving your chances of receiving the justice you deserve.
Why Choose Munley Law for Your Philadelphia Texting While Driving Accident Lawyer?
After a serious car accident, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed. You’re likely to be dealing with medical appointments and bills, insurance issues, lost income, damage to your vehicle, and more. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help clear up the confusion and take some weight off your shoulders. In order for your claim to be successful, it’s important to choose the right law firm.
Munley Law has been in business since 1959. We are a family business with a long history of standing up for injured, vulnerable people when they need it most. Over almost 70 years, we have built a reputation in the legal profession as leaders in complex personal injury cases and cases involving commercial vehicles. Marion Munley, a triple-board certified trial lawyer, was named “Top 10 Super Lawyers in Pennsylvania” by Super Lawyers in 2023. Five of our attorneys are certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, and our lawyers have consistently been named the Best Lawyers in America, as voted by their peers and clients. We belong to the Million Dollar Advocates Forum/Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and have won some of the largest settlements and verdicts in Pennsylvania, enabling us to recover more than $1 billion in damages for clients. No law firm is better qualified to handle your texting and driving accident case.
Our attorneys have decades of experience handling all kinds of car crashes in and around Philadelphia. Thanks to our extensive track record and nationwide reputation, we have amassed the resources and network of experts that the biggest law firms in the U.S. have access to. In addition, while we have the power of a big law firm, we provide the personal service and attention you can only get from a small boutique firm.
We also represent bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorcyclists who have been hit by a distracted driver in Philadelphia.
Frequently Asked Questions About Philadelphia Texting While Driving Accident Cases
What is the Penalty for Texting While Driving In Philadelphia?
The penalties for texting while driving in Pennsylvania include a fine of $50 for a first-time offense and a fine of $100 for subsequent offenses. Commercial drivers are prohibited by federal law from using a cell phone to talk or text while operating a commercial vehicle. Violators face a fine of $2,750.
How Can I Prove a Driver Was Texting?
Without professional legal assistance, it can be difficult to prove a driver was texting. Our Philadelphia texting while driving lawyers can assist by obtaining evidence such as the defendant’s phone records, eyewitness testimony, official police reports, and surveillance footage.
If the Other Driver Was Texting, Should They Pay My Medical Bills
The other driver doesn’t necessarily need to pay your medical bills at first, even if they were texting. In Pennsylvania, all drivers are required to carry personal injury protection or “PIP” coverage. You would first use this coverage (as well as any available health insurance) to pay your medical bills. Then, you would look to the at-fault driver’s insurance for additional compensation.
How Long Do I Have to File a Texting and Driving Accident Lawsuit in a Philadelphia Court?
In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years, as per 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 5524 (2). This means your lawsuit must be filed within two years of the date of your injury. This is not a quick process, so it is in your best interest to contact an attorney as soon as possible. The Philadelphia texting and driving accident lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys offer free consultations, so you can have a meeting with a lawyer worry-free.
Contact Munley Law’s Philadelphia Texting While Driving Lawyer
Despite knowing the facts of accidents caused by their clients texting while driving, insurance companies will do everything they can to minimize payouts to victims. Do not let this happen to you.
Contact Munley Law today to schedule a free consultation with our Philadelphia texting while driving accident lawyer who can help you pursue justice and fair compensation for your injuries.
J. Christopher Munley
James Christopher Munley is an award-winning plaintiffs’ lawyer who has dedicated his career to fighting for accident victims and their families. As a board-certified civil trial advocate, Chris was named Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers for Workers’ Compensation by Best Lawyers, and has been listed on Pennsylvania Super Lawyers since 2013.
Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys
1617 John F Kennedy Blvd
Suite 1690,
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 515-7747
