Distracted Driver Injury Attorney in Norcross, Gwinnett County
Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of Georgia car accidents. Many drivers believe that driving is a right, not a privilege. They don’t take the task of driving seriously enough to dedicate their full attention to the road. This mistake is what contributes to thousands of crashes, personal injuries, and deaths every year. Hire one of our Georgia distracted driver injury lawyers if you suspect a distracted driver caused your recent car accident. Dermer Appel Ruder knows exactly how to handle these types of cases to maximize results.
How Common are Distracted Driving Accidents?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving took 3,450 lives in 2016. About 391,000 additional people suffered serious injuries in distracted driving accidents. Cell phone use and texting is one of the deadliest forms of driver distraction – yet people using handheld cell phones drove an estimated 481,000 vehicles in 2016. Distracted driving of all types accounts for about 25% of all auto accident fatalities annually. Teenagers statistically engage in distracted driving more than other age groups. Distracted driving accounts for about 58% of teen driver crashes.
Georgia Distracted Driving Laws
Using a hand-held cell phone to text or make phone calls is against the law in Georgia. Drivers cannot hold cell phones behind the wheel according to the state’s 2018 sweeping hands-free law, passed to reduce distracted driving. Other forms of distraction can also result in traffic citations if they cause reckless driving. Drivers guilty of distracted driving can face traffic citations, fines, loss of the driving privilege, and even jail time depending on the offense. They may also be liable for related auto accidents. Call our Georgia distracted driver injury attorneys for help with your case.
Common Distractions on the Road
Anything that removes the driver’s full attention from the driving task can be a driver distraction. This includes taking the driver’s hands off the wheel, eyes off the road, and mind off the driving task. Some of the most common things that distracted Georgia drivers are as follows:
- Cell phone use – phone calls and texting
- Eating and drinking
- GPS or maps
- Radios
- Passengers or pets
- Outside distractions, such as car accidents
- Stopped emergency vehicles
Distracted driving of any kind can cause serious car accidents. The driver might not hit his or her brakes at all before colliding with another vehicle, motorcycle, bicycle, or pedestrian. Distracted drivers are also prone to causing rear-end collisions and making critical errors such as running red lights. No matter what you believe distracted the driver, hire a Georgia distracted driver attorney for assistance.
How Dangerous Is Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving is a well-documented leader in fatal car accidents. Distractions make it impossible for a driver to dedicate his/her full attention to the roadway, increasing the risks of driving mistakes such as breaking roadway rules and failing to yield the right of way. Even a cognitive distraction, such as a fight with a loved one before driving, can be enough to interfere with someone’s ability to control a vehicle. It is never okay to drive distracted. Someone guilty of this reckless act deserves the full power of the law against him or her. We can help.
Who Is Liable in a Distracted Driving Accident?
If driver distraction causes a crash, the driver (or his/her insurance company) will be responsible for paying for everyone’s damages. Georgia is a “fault,” or “tort” state, meaning the at-fault driver is the one who will be legally accountable for damages. To prove someone’s liability for distracted driving, an injured party will need to show evidence of guilt, such as a photograph of food wrappers in the front seat or cell phone records showing the driver sent a text moments before the crash. The Georgia distracted driver injury attorneys at Dermer Appel Ruder can help you with this burden of proof. Learn all the details of your particular distracted driving accident during a free consultation with us.
Our firm serves Atlanta and all surrounding areas including but not limited to Alpharetta, Duluth, Dunwoody, Johns Creek, Peachtree Corners & Roswell.
