Atlanta Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer
Phones have made driving more dangerous than ever, though they are not the only cause of distracted driving. Eating, reaching for items in the back seat, synching devices to the car, using GPS to navigate, and dealing with unruly child passengers are all forms of distraction that virtually all drivers engage in from time to time. However “normal” driving distracted may be, it is still unacceptable when it causes unnecessary risk to others.
If you were injured by a distracted driver, they should be held accountable for your damages. To ensure you are not stuck with a mountain of medical debt and other expenses related to the collision, an Atlanta distracted driving accident lawyer can file a claim for you and handle all of the negotiations and legal proceedings while you recover from your injuries.
Forms of Distracted Driving
- Talking on the phone, with or without a hand’s free device;
- Texting, reading, emailing, taking pictures, or using social media;
- Using a phone or device in any other way;
- Using a GPS device;
- Talking to passengers;
- Staring vacantly out the window;
- Daydreaming;
- Eating or drinking;
- Reaching for objects;
- Adjusting the music or radio; and
- Many more.
Why Cell Phone Users Are The Worst Type of Distracted Drivers
Cell phones behind the wheel are more likely to cause a crash than any other type of distraction because they involve all three types of distraction: visual, cognitive, and manual (take your hands off the wheel), according to the CDC. And, more Americans are using cell phones while driving than ever before.
The average American driver uses their phone on 88 percent of their trips, according to Wired, and the average user/driver spends 3.5 minutes per hour on their phone while driving. At an average speed of 45 miles per hour, 3.5 minutes equates to a total distance of 2.6 miles. That is 2.6 miles that the average driver spends looking down at their phone to text at the worst, or at the best that is 2.6 miles of distraction by making calls or changing songs on their playlist.
Proving Fault in a Distracted Driving Case
While it may be helpful to have proof that the at-fault driver was texting at the time of the crash, it is not usually necessary to prove that they were distracted. Generally, it is simple enough to prove what happened on the road.
For example, if you had the right of way through an intersection and the other driver pulled out in front of you, all that needs to be proven is that 1) you had the right of way, 2) you were not doing anything against the rules of the road, such as speeding, and 3) the other driver violated the rules of the road.
Call an Atlanta Distracted Driving Lawyer Today
The distracted driver who caused your crash knowingly put your life, and the lives of others, at risk simply because they were bored or too impatient to pull off the side of the road to deal with whatever issue was at hand that led to their distraction. There is no other way to view this type of behavior other than selfishness. We can hold them responsible for your financial damages. Contact us today at Sawyer Injury Law and schedule a free consultation with an Atlanta distracted driving attorney.
