Maryland Texting and Driving Accident Lawyer

A driver who glances at a phone at 55 mph travels the length of a football field in just five seconds. That’s long enough to cause a crash they never saw coming. If a texting driver injured you or someone you love, the Law Office of Robert Castro can help you prove what happened and pursue the compensation you deserve.

We’ve been representing injured Marylanders since 1993. Our team handles texting and driving accident claims across Maryland and Washington, D.C. We offer a free consultation by phone, in our Waldorf office, or at your home or hospital room if you can’t travel to us.

Call (301) 870-1200 to speak with a texting and driving accident attorney today.

Why Texting Behind the Wheel Causes So Many Crashes

Texting is one of the most dangerous things a driver can do. It’s the only common distraction that combines all three forms of driver inattention at once.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines the three forms of distraction as:

• Manual: taking your hands off the wheel
• Visual: taking your eyes off the road
• Cognitive: taking your mind off driving

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 3,275 people were killed in crashes involving distracted drivers in 2023. Distracted driving was a factor in 8% of all fatal crashes that year. NHTSA also notes that reading or sending a text takes a driver’s eyes off the road for about five seconds. At highway speed, that’s the same as driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed.

Texting and Handheld Phone Use Are Illegal in Maryland

Maryland treats texting and handheld phone use behind the wheel as primary offenses. That means an officer can pull a driver over for that violation alone, even if no other traffic law is being broken.

Two state laws apply:

• Md. Code, Transportation § 21-1124.1 bans writing, sending, or reading a text or electronic message while driving.
• Md. Code, Transportation § 21-1124.2 bans using a handheld phone while a vehicle is in motion, except to start or end a call.

Fines under § 21-1124.2 are $75 for a first offense, $125 for a second, and $175 for a third or later offense. Points may also be added to the driver’s license if the distraction contributed to a crash.

These laws matter for your civil case. A driver who broke a safety statute can be considered negligent per se, which can strengthen your claim for damages. You can read more about Maryland’s distracted driving laws on the Maryland General Assembly’s official statute page (external link, recommended for E-E-A-T).

How We Prove a Driver Was Texting

Distracted drivers rarely admit what they were doing. That’s why building the right evidence early is so important. Our attorneys may pursue several types of proof, including:

• Cell phone records, obtained by subpoena or court order, that show the exact time of texts, calls, and app activity
• Police reports and any citations issued at the scene
• Witness statements from people who saw the driver looking down or holding a phone
• Photos and video, including dashcam, traffic camera, and nearby business surveillance footage
• Vehicle event data recorder (“black box”) downloads showing braking, speed, and steering in the seconds before impact
• Social media activity timestamps, where relevant and lawfully obtained

We move quickly to preserve this evidence before it’s overwritten or deleted. Crash scenes on routes like US-301, MD-5, and the Capital Beltway often have nearby cameras or dashcam footage. But those recordings are sometimes overwritten within days.

Compensation You May Be Able to Recover

Injury victims in Maryland may be entitled to damages for:

• Medical bills, including hospital, surgery, rehab, and future care
• Lost wages and reduced future earning capacity
• Vehicle repair or replacement
• Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
• Wrongful death damages if a loved one was killed

Maryland follows the contributory negligence rule. Under this rule, an injured person who’s even slightly at fault can be barred from recovering anything. That’s why how liability is built and presented can shape your entire outcome.

Why Clients Choose the Law Office of Robert Castro

Our firm has served Maryland since 1993. We handle personal injury, family law, and criminal defense matters. Our attorneys appear regularly in courts across Charles County, Prince George’s County, St. Mary’s County, Calvert County, and the District of Columbia. We’re based in Waldorf, just off US-301, and we offer hospital or home visits for clients who can’t come to the office.

The steps you take in the days after a crash can shape your case. Call (301) 870-1200 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is texting and driving illegal in Maryland?

Yes. Maryland bans both texting (§ 21-1124.1) and handheld phone use while driving (§ 21-1124.2). Both are primary offenses, so police can stop a driver for that violation alone. Fines start at $75 for a first offense.

How do you prove a driver was texting at the time of a crash?

Through cell phone records (obtained by subpoena or court order), the police report, witness statements, dashcam or traffic camera video, and black box vehicle data. We move quickly to preserve this evidence before it is lost.

Can I still recover damages if I was partly at fault?

Maryland follows the contributory negligence rule, which can bar recovery if you are even slightly at fault. That is why how liability is presented matters so much. Speak with an attorney before giving any statement to the other driver’s insurer.

How long do I have to file a texting and driving accident claim in Maryland?

Most personal injury claims in Maryland must be filed within three years of the date of the crash (Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101). Some claims, including those against government entities, have shorter notice deadlines. Talk to a lawyer as soon as possible.

Do you serve clients outside Waldorf?

Yes. We handle texting and driving accident claims throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C., including Charles County, Prince George’s County, St. Mary’s County, and Calvert County. We also offer home and hospital visits for clients who cannot travel.

How much does it cost to hire a texting and driving accident lawyer?

Your initial consultation with our firm is free. Please call (301) 870-1200 to discuss fee arrangements for your specific case.