Like speeding and drunk driving, texting and driving is cited as being one of the top reasons for car accidents. Attorneys handling distracted driving car accidents in Athens will attest that texting and driving can impair your driving skills to the same degree as if you were drunk. Lawyers who handle distracted driving accident cases all say, “STOP TEXTING AND DRIVING!”
Many studies now show that texting while driving can impair the driving skills of the driver to the same extent as a person who has a blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent. 0.08 percent alcohol in the blood is the minimum level required to establish drunken driving in most US states. It is thus easy to understand why texting while driving can be so risky and can play a major role in causing accidents. If you have been injured in an accident and the driver who hit your vehicle was texting while driving, you need to speak to a texting and driving accident lawyer as soon as possible.
There are many other factors that can cause drivers to get distracted. These include adjusting the volume of the radio or music, engaging in conversations with fellow passengers or on the cell phone, looking in the mirror to check hair or make up, looking at a paper map or GPS device, watching videos on a hand help device or inbuilt video streaming systems, eating or balancing coffee or other drinks. If you are a victim of distracted driving, you need to speak to a car accident lawyer.
Texting and driving pose a special danger. Reading or responding to a text requires a minimum of five seconds. At 55 mph, this is the equivalent of driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed. If you get hit by a driver who is this distracted, there is a risk you could suffer serious injuries. If you are a victim of such an accident, talk to a texting while driving accident lawyer in Athens.
According to traffic safety experts, driving can be impaired if you are distracted visually, manually or cognitively. Visual impairment occurs when your eyes are away from the road and your surroundings. Manual distraction is when your hands are not on the wheel. Cognitive impairment means when you are not fully attentive to the main task of driving. Discuss these different types of impairment with your distracted driving accident attorney and how they contributed towards your accident.
Studies also show that texting while driving can increase the risk of accidents by a factor of 23. According to National Safety Council (NSC), incidents of car crashes due to distracted driving are under-reported. NSC’s statistics show that
This indicates the magnitude of risk texting while driving presents to the drivers who demonstrate this behavior and to people around them. Talk to a lawyer about this if you were a victim of such an accident.
Georgia’s law on texting while driving is very straightforward. It prohibits all drivers regardless of age and type of vehicle to read or write a text message while driving. Your attorney can provide you with more details if you need more information.
It is illegal for drivers under the age of 18 to engage in any kind of wireless communication while driving. This applies to drivers carrying a class D license or Instruction Permit. The law applies to all devices that are similar to cell phones such as tablets, phablets, laptops or any other device that can function in similar ways. This includes talking on the phone as well as texting. If you have any questions in this regard, you need to speak to a texting and driving accident lawyer in Athens.
There might arise some situations that will allow the driver to make an exception. You can ask your texting while driving accident lawyer about these exceptions. Generally speaking, an underage driver may use his cell phone or a similar device when legally parked and to contact police or emergency services if
If you need more information regarding the penalty for texting and driving, speak to a lawyer.
For adult drivers in Georgia, the laws are slightly different.
Adult drivers can use a cell phone or a similar device while legally parked and to report if:
Other adult drivers may use a cell phone in the line of duty to respond to emergencies or other official duties. These include personnel such as those working in law enforcement, firefighters, paramedics, first responders or other contractors. Speak to a distracted driving accident attorney in Athens if you need more information in this regard.
For more information regarding penalties, talk to a texting and driving accident lawyer.
Injuries include, but are not limited to, bone fractures, burns, head injuries, and even death. You can also claim loss of wages resulting from injuries sustained. Similarly, depending on the type of crash, you can have minor dents to having your car completely wrecked. In some situations, the distracted driver can cause property damage by crashing into people’s driveways, garages or even homes. If you want more information as to how you can get compensation for the injuries that you have sustained, you need to discuss your injuries and any other damage that you have sustained with your texting while driving accident lawyer in Athens.
In Athens, people affected by distracted driving can claim compensation for injuries, medical expenses, and property damage. Offenders can risk civil liability for injuries/damages they cause and be prepared to compensate the victims in ways applicable to the situation. Talk to your distracted driving accident attorney about this sort of compensation.
Under the law, all residents of Georgia need to have liability insurance to get their car registered. The minimum coverage amounts include:
While having insurance gives a sense of relief, having your medical bills and damages paid through insurance is a different ball game altogether. Insurance companies try their level best to minimize the payouts. In addition to taking care of details at the scene of an accident, try to hire a texting and driving accident lawyer to make the most of the liability insurance and to minimize your direct dealings with insurance companies.
If you find yourself at the scene of an accident, there are certain things you should do regardless of whether you are a victim or an offender. The following suggestions will maximize your chances of having a favorable outcome for your claims.
While it may seem more cost efficient to settle your case with the help of your insurance agent, most often the fine print of your policy or nature of claims may not be possible without any professional help. Our texting while driving accident lawyers in Athens provide free consultation for a case evaluation. It is best to use your judgment to assess the situation and depending on the complexity of the situation get in touch with a distracted driving accident attorney to settle your case for you.
Keep in mind that insurance companies can make your life very difficult. This is true even if you are not at fault. That is why it is advisable that you let a texting while driving accident lawyer to negotiate with them on your behalf. Your first priority after an accident is to recover as fast as you can. You don’t want to take on the added tension of negotiating with them, evaluating their offers and wondering if you should sign on the dotted line. You should not do anything or agree to any offers made by an insurance agent unless and until you run that by your texting while driving accident lawyer.
Distracted driving is a problem that is getting worse day by day. There have been calls for strict legislation to discourage this type of behavior, especially texting and driving. Georgia has already tried to implement these laws, but some drivers never learn.
People who get behind the wheel when they are drunk are risking getting into a car accident. No less risky are the distracted drivers who text while they drive. Both are risky and foolish.
If you are the victim of a distracted driving car accident in Athens, contact an experienced lawyer to find out how you can get compensation after such an accident.
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