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Distracted Drivers Are Everywhere And Dangerous

No matter where you drive, you see them: drivers looking at their laps, slowing leaving stoplights, and driving too slowly or erratically. They may be texting or checking Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. While smartphones, with their infinite supply of content, are the latest and most powerful source of distraction for drivers, they are not the only ones.

Distraction Often Leads To Serious Accidents

Police often report drivers engaging in conduct like putting on makeup, shaving or reading papers or other texts all while driving. But distracted driving can be deadly, and it can leave its victims with injuries they will carry for the rest of their lives.

At Glenda Mitchell Law Firm, our lawyer knows you may be dealing with the medical expenses caused by this conduct, and we can help. We know how to investigate these crashes and look for telltale signs that a driver was distracted, like the failure to use their brakes in a rear-end collision.

Risks Range From Smartphones To Fast Food

Studies have found that drivers can be distracted in countless ways. They eat, drink, smoke, work, read, text, daydream and engage in virtually every other human behavior. Smartphones, which really are less phone and more cellular-connected internet computers, allow people to be distracted by millions of websites while driving. Others are fatigued and drowsy after sleeping too little the night before driving – just as dangerous.

Sometimes distracted driving incidents seem truly absurd, as when one driver video streamed herself driving drunk. But it is likely that tens of thousands of motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians are injured, and thousands are killed every year by this type of negligent driving – sometimes without public notice. If you have been hurt or a family member has been killed, you want compensation and justice. Our attorney zealously works to hold these individuals accountable for their negligence.

We are also prepared to answer any questions you may have after a distracted driving accident.

Answers To Your Questions About Distracted Driving Accidents

Distracted driving is quickly becoming one of the most common causes of motor vehicle accidents in Georgia. If you or someone you care about has been hit by a distracted driver, you may have questions about pursuing a car accident claim. At Glenda Mitchell Law Firm, we are happy to provide personalized answers to any of your questions in a free consultation.

To get started, here are some answers to commonly asked questions:

Is distracted driving illegal in Georgia?

Technically, yes. On July 1, 2018, Georgia’s Hands-Free Law went into effect. This law makes it illegal to use your cellphone behind the wheel and restricts the use so drivers cannot:

  • Hold or touch their phone
  • Send or read text messages
  • Record videos on their phone

However, it is still legal to take calls through Bluetooth and use your GPS.

This law focuses on restricting phone use behind the wheel. And cellphone use makes up a large percentage of distracted driving accidents. However, the law does not cover or illegalize other forms of distracted driving that can also lead to serious injuries on Georgia roads.

What is considered distracted driving?

There are three main kinds of distracted driving:

  • Visual: This involves anything that takes your eyes off the road, such as putting on makeup or looking down at a phone.
  • Cognitive: This includes things that distract your mind from the task at hand, such as talking with a passenger or even thinking.
  • Manual: Anything that takes one or both hands off the wheel is a manual distraction. This could be eating or texting.

If a driver engages in one or a combination of these categories, they pose a serious risk to other drivers.

How can you prove the at-fault driver was distracted?

Everyone who has driven on Georgia roads knows how common distracted driving is. However, in a distracted driving accident claim, it is necessary to prove that the at-fault driver was distracted. To do so, there are a variety of places an experienced lawyer may direct their investigation, including:

  • Cellphone records, if the at-fault driver was using it at the time of the car crash
  • Video of the accident from traffic cameras or dashboard cameras
  • Statements from witnesses of the accident
  • Accident reconstructions

What should I do if I was in a car wreck caused by a distracted driver?

After any auto accident, and especially an accident caused by distracted driving, you should:

  1. Seek medical attention as soon as possible. Even if you think you are not hurt, serious injuries can show up long after the initial collision.
  2. Call the police. They will investigate the scene and collect evidence for an accident report. This could be crucial evidence to prove the at-fault driver was distracted.
  3. If you can, collect your own records of the accident. Take pictures and note the date, time and conditions of the accident.

Distracted driving is negligent and, under Georgia law, often illegal. If you were hurt by someone who disobeyed the law and took the risk of driving distracted, you may have a personal injury claim. By speaking with a trusted attorney, you can find out if you have a claim and how much it is worth.

Contact Our Attorney Today For Help

If you have been injured in a crash with a suspected distracted driver, call our Cartersville office in Georgia at 678-721-0417 for a free initial consultation. In Alabama, call our Auburn office at 334-604-7927 and in South Carolina, call our Greenville office at 864-326-3073 or use our convenient online form.