Since June 5, 2025, Pennsylvania drivers have experienced a major change in the state’s traffic safety laws. New legislation, known as Paul Miller’s Law, strengthens restrictions on distracted driving and ushers in a new era of hands-free driving requirements across the Commonwealth. If you drive in Pennsylvania or were injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver, understanding Paul Miller’s Law and how it affects personal injury cases is crucial to securing fair compensation.
The attorneys at The Rummel Firm believe that all of our clients should be well informed of the laws that affect them. Reach out today to learn more about Paul Miller’s Law and how it could affect your personal injury claim.
Paul Miller’s Law was passed in an attempt to reduce accidents, injuries, and deaths caused by distracted driving. Under Paul Miller’s Law, drivers are prohibited from holding or supporting any electronic device while operating a vehicle. This includes cellphones, tablets, GPS units, and any other device capable of text-based communication or video display. The law applies whether a driver is stopped in traffic, at a red light, or while in motion.
Paul Miller’s Law updates Pennsylvania’s personal injury laws to reflect modern technology and driving habits. Key provisions include:
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Paul Miller’s Law is part of a broader initiative to align Pennsylvania’s traffic safety regulations with other states that have adopted hands-free driving laws.
Violating Paul Miller’s Law carries significant consequences that reflect the seriousness of distracted driving in Pennsylvania. Penalties may include:
Law enforcement agencies will initially focus on public education and awareness, with officers issuing only warnings after June 5, 2025. This period of warnings will last a full year, with full enforcement expected to begin on June 5, 2026. Drivers should use this time to adjust their habits and install hands-free technology if they haven’t already.
The law will have significant implications for personal injury cases involving motor vehicle accidents in Pennsylvania. For victims injured by distracted drivers, Paul Miller’s Law strengthens the legal stipulations for proving negligence.
Under the new rules:
An experienced Pittsburgh car accident lawyer can use these new legal standards to help you recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. It’s important to act quickly, as Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations generally allows only two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. Failing to file within that time can bar your right to recover damages.
Paul Miller’s Law also brings renewed attention to fatal crashes caused by distracted driving. Families who have lost loved ones in these accidents may pursue wrongful death claims against negligent drivers. The law reinforces accountability by creating a stronger legal framework for holding drivers responsible when distractions lead to tragedy.
In Pennsylvania, families typically have two years from the date of a loved one’s death to file a wrongful death claim. Meeting this deadline is essential to preserving your legal rights and ensuring negligent drivers are held accountable under the state’s strengthened distracted driving laws.
While Paul Miller’s Law is designed to make Pennsylvania’s roads safer, accidents caused by distracted drivers will still happen. Proving that a driver was using their phone or other device at the time of an accident often requires a detailed investigation.
An experienced Pittsburgh personal injury attorney can:
Victims of distracted driving deserve justice. The sooner an attorney begins building your case, the more effectively evidence can be preserved and presented in court.
If you or someone you love has been injured or passed away due to a distracted driver in Pennsylvania, you may have the right to pursue compensation under the updated distracted driving laws.
The team at The Rummel Firm is dedicated to protecting victims and holding negligent drivers accountable. With deep experience in personal injury and traffic law, our firm helps clients across Pittsburgh and throughout Pennsylvania recover the compensation they deserve after serious accidents.
Contact us today at (412) 790-1456 to discuss your personal injury claim with a firm well versed in the ever-changing laws of the Commonwealth.
