# Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyer Sues Former Texas City Commissioner Haney Sued Over I-45 Crash | Attorney Brian White **Table of Contents***[*Expand*]* 1. Why Did the Victims File a Personal Injury Lawsuit? 2. Distracted Driving is a Common Cause of Traffic Accidents 3. What Damages Can Accident Victims Receive for a Distracted Driving Accident? 4. Contact the Houston Car Accident Attorneys At Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers if You Need Help After a Crash ![Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers Sues Former Texas City Commissioner Haney Sued Over I-45 Crash](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Attorney-Brian-White-Personal-Injury-Lawyers-Sues-Former-Texas-City-Commissioner-Haney-Sued-Over-I-45-Crash-300x240.jpeg) Attorney Brian White filed a personal injury [lawsuit](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/what-are-the-steps-to-filing-a-personal-injury-lawsuit/) against a former Texas City Commissioner regarding a car accident on March 17, 2022, around 1:30 p.m. The accident occurred in the 6400 block of Interstate 45 in Houston, TX. The lawsuit was [filed against Dee Ann Haney](https://www.galvnews.com/news/police/free/article_aee09382-2b50-5b9e-ac41-e235cff3cbb6.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share)in the [Tenth District Court for Galveston County.](https://www.galvestoncountytx.gov/our-county/judicial-district-courts/10th-district-court)  Haney had previously been charged with manslaughter related to a 2017 traffic accident that resulted in two traffic fatalities. She was initially charged with intoxication manslaughter, but those charges were amended to manslaughter. Her criminal trial is set to begin on May 2, 2022. According to the [Texas Department of Public Safety](https://www.dps.texas.gov/), Haney had not been charged with traffic infractions related to the recent traffic accident. However, law enforcement officials may still be investigating the cause of the traffic accident.  ## Why Did the Victims File a Personal Injury Lawsuit? The plaintiffs include three adults and two minors. The lawsuit alleges that Haney is responsible for causing the traffic accident because she failed to keep a proper lookout. The lawsuit also alleges that Haney failed to maintain a single lane. [Attorney White](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/resources/brian-white-is-board-certified-in-personal-injury-trial-law/) asserts that Haney caused the traffic accident when she entered the highway from an on-ramp. According to the allegations, Haney swerved to avoid colliding with a car in front of her. She then struck a semi-truck, a median, and the victims’ vehicle twice.  The lawsuit alleges the plaintiffs suffered significant personal injuries because of the traffic crash. They continue to receive medical treatment for their injuries.  After filing the lawsuit, Attorney White filed a motion to obtain a restraining order. The motion seeks to prevent Haney from “altering, salvaging, selling, repairing, or destroying” evidence that she might have on her cell phone. Attorney White is seeking evidence to determine whether Haney used her [cell phone](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/can-you-get-in-trouble-for-using-a-cell-phone-while-driving/) while driving.  District Court Judge Kerry Neves granted Attorney White’s motion for a temporary restraining order. The court scheduled a hearing for April 6, 2022. For a legal consultation call [(713) 500-5000](tel:+17135005000) ## Distracted Driving is a Common Cause of Traffic Accidents [Distracted driving](https://www.tdi.texas.gov/pubs/videoresource/fsdrivdistract.pdf) is one of the most common causes of car crashes. According to the [Texas Department of Transportation](https://www.txdot.gov/safety/traffic-safety-campaigns/distracted-driving.html/), nearly one-fifth of the traffic accidents in Texas during 2020 were caused by distracted drivers. The [use of a cell phone](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/distracted-driving-the-link-between-cell-phones-and-car-accidents/) is a common driving distraction. Writing, reading, or sending a text while driving has been illegal in [Texas](https://www.texas.gov/) since September 1, 2017. In addition to facing penalties for violating the law, distracted drivers can be held financially liable for damages caused by [distracted driving accidents](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/car-accident-lawyer/distracted-driving/). Distractions also include other activities that take a driver’s focus away from driving. Three main [distractions while driving](https://www.cdc.gov/distracted-driving/about/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/distracted_driving/index.html) are: - Manual – Drivers take their hands off the steering wheel - Visual – Drivers take their eyes off the road - Cognitive – Drivers focus on something other than driving It is estimated that an average of nine people die each day in the United States in distracted driving accidents. Sadly, choosing to drive while distracted increases the risk of a traffic accident.  ## What Damages Can Accident Victims Receive for a Distracted Driving Accident? Texas is an at-fault state for [car accidents](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/car-accident-lawyer/). The accident victim has the burden of proving that the other driver caused the accident before they can recover damages. Damages may include economic damages or financial losses associated with the crash, your injuries, and your recovery.  Examples of [economic damages](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/what-are-economic-damages/) include: - [Property damage](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/property-damage/) to your vehicle or personal property - Cost of medical treatment, therapies, personal care, and in-home nursing care - Loss of income, including future [lost wages](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/can-i-be-reimbursed-for-lost-wages-after-a-car-accident/) and benefits - [Out-of-pocket expenses](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/out-of-pocket-expenses/)  - Diminished earning capacity because of permanent impairments In addition to recovering economic damages, the accident victims may recover compensation for [non-economic damages](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/what-are-non-economic-damages-in-texas/).  These damages compensate the injured party for damages such as: - Physical [pain and suffering](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/how-are-pain-and-suffering-damages-calculated/) - Loss of enjoyment of life - Scarring and disfigurement - Mental anguish - Disabilities and impairments - [Emotional distress](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/suing-for-emotional-distress-after-an-accident/) - Diminished [quality of life](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/quality-of-life/) In some cases, a jury might award [punitive damages](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/what-are-punitive-damages/). These damages are intended to “punish” a defendant for gross negligence or malice.  The [burden to prove](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/understanding-the-burden-of-proof-in-personal-injury-cases/) punitive damages is higher than the burden to prove [liability](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/whats-liability/) for other damages. Therefore, punitive damages are only awarded in personal injury cases that demonstrate gross negligence.  [Click to contact](/contact-us/) us today ## Contact the Houston Car Accident Attorneys At Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers if You Need Help After a Crash Our offices Houston — Greenway/Upper Kirby 3120 Southwest Freeway, Suite 350 Houston, TX 77098 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 364-1466](tel:+17133641466) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%203120%20Southwest%20Freeway%2C%20Suite%20350%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077098) Houston — East Freeway 11811 East Freeway, Suite 630-06 Houston, TX 77029 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 609-1893](tel:+17136091893) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%2011811%20East%20Freeway%2C%20Suite%20630-06%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077029) Houston — South Loop 2600 South Loop West, Suite 293 Houston, TX 77054 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 281-4904](tel:+17132814904) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%202600%20South%20Loop%20West%2C%20Suite%20293%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077054) Houston — Katy Freeway 11511 Katy Fwy, Suite 515 Houston, TX 77079 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 909-7537](tel:+17139097537) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%2011511%20Katy%20Fwy%2C%20Suite%20515%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077079) Houston — Clear Lake 1300 Bay Area Blvd, Suite B268 Houston, TX 77058 By appointment only Call [(936) 508-2854](tel:+19365082854) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%201300%20Bay%20Area%20Blvd%2C%20Suite%20B268%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077058) The Woodlands 1776 Woodstead Ct, Ste. 203 The Woodlands, TX 77380 By appointment only Call [(281) 843-9777](tel:+12818439777) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%201776%20Woodstead%20Ct%2C%20Ste.%20203%2C%20The%20Woodlands%2C%20TX%2077380) Champion Forest (Cypress) 4606 FM 1960 Rd W, Ste. 444 Houston, TX 77069 By appointment only Call [(281) 843-9777](tel:+12818439777) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%204606%20FM%201960%20Rd%20W%2C%20Ste.%20444%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077069) --- ### About the Author Brian White ![About the Author Brian White](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/brian-white-houston-personal-injury-lawyer-300x300.jpg) [Brian White](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/our-attorneys/brian-white/) earned his J.D. from South Texas College of Law in Houston and is licensed to practice in Texas. He is a [Board-Certified](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/resources/brian-white-is-board-certified-in-personal-injury-trial-law/) Personal Injury Trial Lawyer. Dedicated to giving back, he actively supports local charities and [community initiatives](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/community-involvement/). [Client testimonials](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/testimonials/) highlight Brian’s compassion, open communication, and dedication to achieving the best outcomes for those he represents. [Avvo](https://www.avvo.com/attorneys/77098-tx-brian-white-74113.html) / [Justia](https://lawyers.justia.com/lawyer/brian-elliott-white-201630) / Linkedin Call or Text [(713) 500-5000](tel:+17135005000) or Complete a [Case Evaluation Form](/contact-us/) Firm News Blog Posts: [![Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers Announces New Office Location](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/themes/brian-white/assets/app/img/default-thumb.webp)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/attorney-brian-white-personal-injury-lawyers-announces-new-office-location/) [Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers Announces New Office Location](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/attorney-brian-white-personal-injury-lawyers-announces-new-office-location/) It’s easier than ever to get the help you need after an unexpected accident in Houston, TX. Attorney Brian White [![Giving Back with Purpose: Operation Backpack & Supply Drive 2024–2025](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Giving-Back-with-Purpose-Operation-Backpack-Supply-Drive-2024-2025-300x200.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/giving-back-with-purpose-operation-backpack-supply-drive-2025/) [Giving Back With Purpose: Operation Backpack Supply Drive 2025](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/giving-back-with-purpose-operation-backpack-supply-drive-2025/) At Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers, community isn’t just a word—it’s a promise. This year’s [![Operation Backpack & Supply Drive 2024–2025 Event](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Operation-Backpack-Supply-Drive-20242025-Event-225x300.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/operation-backpack-supply-drive-2024-2025-event/) [Operation Backpack Supply Drive 2024-2025 Event](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/operation-backpack-supply-drive-2024-2025-event/) Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers is pleased to announce that we’re hosting a “Operation Backpack [![Winter Wonderland Toy Giveaway Brings Holiday Cheer to Northeast Houston](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Winter-Wonderland-Toy-Giveaway-Brings-Holiday-Cheer-to-Northeast-Houston-1-169x300.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/winter-wonderland-toy-giveaway-brings-holiday-cheer-to-northeast-houston/) [Winter Wonderland Toy Giveaway Brings Holiday Cheer to Northeast Houston](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/winter-wonderland-toy-giveaway-brings-holiday-cheer-to-northeast-houston/) On Saturday, December 6, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., our personal injury lawyers based in Houston at Attorney Brian --- Source: https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/attorney-brian-white-personal-injury-lawyers-sues-former-texas-city-commissioner-haney-sued-over-i-45-crash/