According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 21 percent of all auto accident injuries occur as a result of distracted driving. That adds up to an estimated 420,000 distracted driving accidents every year in the United States. The number one distracted driving behavior is using a cell phone while driving, either to talk, text, check email, look up directions, or otherwise look at the Internet. Using a cell phone while driving is extremely dangerous because it often occupies your eyes, hands, and attention. Not only does it put the driver at risk of hitting other motor vehicles, but also pedestrians, bicyclists, and others who may be on the roads. If you have been injured by a driver who was using a cell phone to talk or text, a Fayette County auto accident attorney can help you hold that driver responsible for their actions.
Georgia has several laws regarding cell phone usage and driving, depending on what kind of driver is in question. Furthermore, federal laws regulate certain types of drivers, as well. These laws include:
- Under Georgia state law, teenage drivers are prohibited from using a cell phone or other handheld device while driving to talk, text, message, etc.
- Drivers of large commercial trucks are also prohibited from using any type of handheld device to talk on the phone or text by regulations set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
- All Georgia drivers are banned from texting or messaging on mobile devices under Georgia state law.
If a driver breaks one of the above laws and causes an accident, they will be found to be automatically negligent in court because of their illegal behavior. However, even if a driver does not break a law, distracted driving behaviors may still be found to be negligent by the court, allowing you to recover from the responsible party. If you have been injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver, you should always consult with an experienced auto accident lawyer to see if you have a potential case. Call Shane Smith Law today at (980) 246-2656