It's Saturday night in Marietta. You're cruising down the highway, eyes on the road — but the other guy isn't. Suddenly a car cuts you off, catches the corner of your bumper, and sends you into a tailspin at 55 mph. Moments later you're upside down in a ditch, wondering what to do next. First, call 911. Then call a personal injury lawyer.
Many of these crashes involve cell phones — and texting is a triple threat, stealing a driver's visual, manual, and cognitive attention all at once. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), driving while texting is six times more dangerous than driving while intoxicated. But as any car accident attorney who handles these claims knows, texting is only one of many ways a driver's attention gets pulled from the road.
Texting Isn't the Only Distraction
The federal government even created a website (distraction.gov) devoted to the problem. Other common distractions that cause crashes include:
- Eating and drinking
- Talking to passengers
- Reading
- Consulting maps
- Personal grooming
- Using a navigation system
- Adjusting a radio or music player
- Watching videos
Some people even brush their teeth or change clothes behind the wheel.
Georgia's Distracted-Driving Laws
To fight back, Georgia has enacted laws aimed squarely at distracted driving. Text messaging while driving has been banned since 2010, and later revisions added a broader prohibition:
"A driver shall not engage in any actions which shall distract such driver from the safe operation of such vehicle…"
"While the proper use of a radio, citizens band radio, mobile telephone, or amateur or ham radio does not violate this law, such proper use does not include texting for those over 18, or any type of cell phone use while driving for those under the age of 18."
Because the law doesn't spell out every distracting action, police officers and judges have a lot of flexibility in deciding whether a driver violated it. If you're not sure whether distraction was a factor in your wreck, a Marietta personal injury lawyer can review the facts to see whether it's an issue in your case.
The Problem Is Getting Worse
Injuries from distracted-driving crashes can be devastating — disability, lost earnings, hospital and medical bills, and pain and suffering that steals time and enjoyment from your family. If a distracted driver hurt you, call a personal injury lawyer who can explain your rights and work to recover every dollar the law entitles you to.