If you were injured because someone was texting, scrolling, or simply not paying attention behind the wheel, a San Antonio distracted driving accident lawyer at Cowen | Rodriguez | Peacock can help you fight for accountability and full compensation. Distracted drivers put everyone around them at risk, and in a constantly growing high-traffic city like San Antonio, that risk becomes deadly all too often.
San Antonio drivers deal with heavy commuter traffic, high-speed corridors, and dense urban congestion. Add mobile phones, GPS devices, and in-car entertainment systems to the mix, and the dangers of distraction multiply quickly. Even a brief glance away from the road can lead to catastrophic injury.
Texas law prohibits texting while driving, and cities like San Antonio have local ordinances that go even further. But enforcement can’t undo what’s already happened. When a driver’s distraction causes serious harm, holding them financially accountable is often the only way forward.
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Why Distracted Driving Victims Turn to Cowen | Rodriguez | Peacock
After years of representing seriously injured clients and grieving families, you can’t help but care deeply. We’ve sat with families at their kitchen tables, listened to how a crash changed their lives, and seen the financial and emotional toll firsthand.
We care because we see ourselves and our own families in our clients. And we want to help make sure fewer people go through the same pain.
Clients choose us because we offer:
- A focus on traffic accidents involving catastrophic injury and wrongful death
- Direct access to your lawyer
- A deep bench of trial lawyers with decades of courtroom experience
- A proactive approach that preserves evidence and builds leverage fast
- A track record of securing multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts for our clients
- No fees unless we win your case
Our San Antonio car and truck accident lawyers know how to hold distracted drivers accountable, whether they were on a phone, checking delivery apps, or driving for a major company. Our firm is especially equipped to handle complex cases involving 18-wheelers and commercial vehicles, which often require immediate evidence preservation and aggressive legal strategies.
Distracted Driving Crashes Are Common in San Antonio
San Antonio is one of the most dangerous cities in Texas for serious and fatal car crashes. In a recent five-year period, the city saw 860 traffic deaths, ranking third statewide behind only Houston and Dallas. Distracted driving plays a major role in these tragedies, and the conditions on San Antonio roads often make the consequences of distraction even more severe.
Drivers in this region deal with dense traffic, fast-moving highways, and constant construction. Staying alert isn't optional. It's essential. But many drivers still allow themselves to get distracted by phones, GPS systems, or in-vehicle screens. And when that happens in San Antonio’s traffic conditions, the results can be catastrophic.
Several factors make San Antonio especially dangerous for distracted drivers:
- High-speed corridors like I-10
The stretch of I-10 running through San Antonio is one of the deadliest in the state. With speed limits up to 80 mph, even small distractions become life-threatening. - Congested intersections and surface streets
Areas like Loop 410 near Marbach, Bandera Road at Huebner, and the I-35/I-10 interchange downtown are known for sudden stops, heavy merging, and frequent collisions. - Commercial vehicle traffic
Delivery trucks from Amazon, FedEx, and UPS are a constant presence. These drivers often rely on GPS and delivery apps that pull their attention from the road—and due to the size of their vehicles, crashes are far more dangerous. - Rideshare activity
Uber and Lyft drivers often juggle multiple apps, unfamiliar addresses, and rapid pickup requests. This is especially risky in busy districts like the Pearl, the Medical Center, or downtown near Market Street. - Construction zones
Long-term projects on I-35, frequent lane closures on Highway 90, and roadwork on arterials like Wurzbach Parkway require constant driver attention. One missed sign or late brake can end in a multi-car crash.
In one recent year, nearly 400 people were killed in distracted driving crashes across Texas, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. Every one of those losses was preventable.
San Antonio drivers face complex traffic conditions every day. A quick glance at a screen or a moment of mental distraction might seem harmless, but in this city, it can be deadly.
Common Injuries Caused by Distracted Driving in San Antonio
Distracted driving accidents tend to happen at full speed, often without the distracted driver braking or reacting at all. As a result, injuries are often severe and long-lasting. We’ve helped clients recover after:
Traumatic brain injuries and head trauma
Sudden impact can cause lasting neurological damage, from concussions to more severe brain injuries.
Spinal cord injuries
High-speed crashes on highways like I-10 or Loop 410 can lead to partial or full paralysis, herniated discs, or chronic back pain.
Broken bones and crush injuries
Especially common in intersection collisions or multi-vehicle pileups caused by distraction.
Internal bleeding or organ damage
These injuries may not show symptoms right away, but they can be life-threatening without immediate treatment.
Psychological trauma
Anxiety, PTSD, and depression often follow traumatic collisions, especially when caused by someone else’s negligence.
If you’re dealing with serious injuries after a crash, your life can feel impossible to manage. Our job is to handle the legal process for you, pursue full compensation, and support you so you can focus on your health and recovery.
What Counts as Distracted Driving in Texas?
Most people think distracted driving means texting behind the wheel. That’s a big part of the problem, but it’s not the only form of distraction.
Texas law prohibits texting while driving under Texas Transportation Code § 545.4251, and the City of San Antonio has enacted a local ordinance making it illegal to use a handheld mobile device while driving within city limits (San Antonio City Code § 19-255).
These laws are meant to reduce distractions, but even with strong enforcement, crashes still happen. Here are some of the reasons why distracted driving is so persistent:
Manual distractions
These distractions occur when a driver removes one or both hands from the wheel to do something else. Eating, adjusting the radio or climate controls, or reaching into the back seat. Even momentary actions like picking up a dropped object can reduce reaction time and increase the risk of a crash.
Visual distractions
Visual distractions pull a driver’s eyes off the road. Looking at a phone, reading a text, checking GPS directions, or even turning to observe something outside the vehicle, such as a crash on the side of the highway, are common examples. When drivers aren’t watching the road, they can easily miss a stopped vehicle, changing traffic lights, or a pedestrian entering a crosswalk.
Cognitive distractions
Cognitive distractions affect a driver’s ability to concentrate. This may involve daydreaming, mentally replaying an argument, or getting too absorbed in a phone conversation, even if it's hands-free. When a driver’s mind isn’t on the task of driving, they may fail to react appropriately to hazards around them, no matter how experienced they are.
Proving Liability After a Distracted Driving Crash in San Antonio
Texas is an at-fault state for car accidents, which means the person who caused the crash and their insurance company are responsible for paying damages. But proving that distraction caused your crash isn’t always straightforward. Our legal team knows how to investigate and build a strong case using:
- Phone records and texting data
- Surveillance or dashcam footage
- Witness statements
- Police crash reports
- Vehicle infotainment logs
We’ve seen cases where commercial drivers, such as those with Amazon or UPS, were using onboard devices or checking delivery routes when they crashed. In these cases, companies may also be liable for encouraging distracted driving or failing to properly train their employees.
Who We Represent in San Antonio Distracted Driving Cases
We work with a wide range of clients who have been injured in distracted driving crashes, including:
- Drivers and passengers struck by inattentive motorists
- Pedestrians hit in crosswalks or parking lots
- Families mourning the loss of a loved one in a fatal accident
- Victims of distracted commercial drivers in company vehicles
If your injuries are serious and someone else was at fault, our San Antonio distracted driving accident lawyers are ready to advocate for you. Our firm is especially experienced in handling cases involving catastrophic injury, wrongful death, and complex trucking-related collisions in San Antonio and across Texas.
Compensation for Accidents Caused by Negligent Drivers in San Antonio
A distracted driving accident can derail your life in an instant—physically, financially, and emotionally. The law can’t undo what happened, but it does provide a path to pursue compensation for your losses. At Cowen | Rodriguez | Peacock, we fight to recover damages such as:
- Medical expenses, including hospital stays, surgery, rehabilitation, and future care
- Lost wages or income
- Loss of future earning potential
- Pain and suffering, both physical and psychological
- Loss of quality of life
- Property damage to your vehicle
- Wrongful death damages if you lost a loved one
We also seek punitive damages in cases where the driver’s conduct was especially reckless. For example, a driver who caused a fatal crash while livestreaming or watching videos behind the wheel or a trucking firm that routinely hires dangerous or unqualified drivers may face higher accountability.
Unlike many other personal injury firms, we don’t rush to settle. We do the hard work upfront to build a trial-ready case so insurance companies know we’re serious. If your case needs to go to court, we are fully prepared to argue your case before a judge or jury.
Protecting Your Health and Legal Claim After an Accident
If you've already received medical attention or are currently undergoing treatment for your injuries, you're taking the right steps to prioritize your recovery. If you haven’t been evaluated yet, it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible. Even if you feel okay, some injuries take time to show symptoms. Prompt care not only supports your healing but also creates medical records that are essential to your injury claim.
Beyond protecting your health, there are several important steps you can take to protect your legal rights and strengthen your claim:
- Consult a lawyer. Cowen | Rodriguez | Peacock will handle all communications with the insurance company, protect your rights, and make sure you’re not pressured into accepting a low settlement. If the insurance company contacts you, politely refer them to us.
- Keep all medical appointments and follow your treatment plan. Gaps in care or skipping recommended treatment can be used to suggest that your injuries aren’t serious, even if you’re still in pain.
- Document your recovery. Writing in a journal or recording short video updates about your pain, emotional struggles, and limitations can provide strong evidence of how the accident has affected your daily life.
- Save all paperwork. Keep copies of your medical records, prescriptions, receipts, and any letters or emails from the insurance company. These details help support the full value of your claim.
Taking these steps early on can make a meaningful difference in the outcome of your case and allow your legal team to do everything possible to advocate for your recovery.
We Handle the Insurance Companies
After an accident, you may feel pressured to speak with the insurance company, especially if they seem cooperative or offer a quick settlement. However, their goal is to pay as little as possible, even if that means minimizing your claim. Early settlement offers are routinely far lower than what your claim is truly worth. Accepting one too soon can leave you without the resources you need for medical care, lost wages, or long-term recovery.
Insurance adjusters use several methods that make it easy for them to take advantage of accident victims during a vulnerable time. Letting your attorney handle these conversations ensures that your rights are protected and that you're not pressured into accepting less than you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline for filing a distracted driving claim in Texas?
In Texas, the statute of limitations generally provides two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, certain factors can shorten or extend this timeframe, so it’s best to contact an attorney as soon as possible.
What if I was partly at fault for the crash?
Texas uses a modified comparative fault system. If you are found to be less than 51% responsible, you can still recover damages, but your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. Insurance companies often try to exaggerate your share of blame to reduce payouts—we know how to push back effectively.
How much does a distracted driving lawyer cost?
At Cowen | Rodriguez | Peacock, we work on a contingency fee basis. That means you don’t pay anything upfront. We only get paid if we recover money for you. If we don’t win your case, you owe us nothing.
What kind of evidence helps prove a driver was distracted?
We look at phone records, dashcam footage, eyewitness reports, social media activity, and more. In commercial vehicle cases, we also examine onboard electronics and employer records to uncover negligent practices or policy violations.
Can I file a claim if the distracted driver was working at the time of the crash?
Yes. If the driver was working for Amazon, FedEx, Uber, Lyft, or any delivery service, both the driver and their employer may be liable. These cases are more complex, but they often allow for broader compensation due to corporate insurance policies.
Talk to a San Antonio Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer Today
If a distracted driver in San Antonio seriously injured you or someone you love, you don’t have to deal with the consequences on your own. The sooner you speak with a San Antonio personal injury lawyer, the better position you’ll be in to recover maximum compensation for all your injuries and losses.
At Cowen | Rodriguez | Peacock, we offer a different kind of legal representation—one that puts people first, focuses on outcomes, and never cuts corners. We’re ready to meet you, listen to your experience, and help you find the best path forward. We’ve built our reputation on going above and beyond for seriously injured Texans, and we’re ready to do the same for you. Call us now at (210) 941-1306 or contact us online for a free, no-pressure consultation.
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Cowen | Rodriguez | Peacock - San Antonio Office
Address: 6243 I-10 #801, San Antonio, TX 78201
Contact No: (210) 941-1306